On behalf of the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), it is my pleasure to wish a warm welcome to all participants to Palm Oil Internet Seminar (POINTERS). POINTERS was launched by MPOC in 2010 and since then its following has grown significantly. Today, this platform has more than 4,000 registered participants from 51 countries who engage actively on this forum. This is proof of the fact that POINTERS has proven to be relevant and informative to the industry members in Malaysia and the rest of the world.

POINTERS, a web-based seminar, is acknowledged not only as an interactive initiative by MPOC but also one that serves the palm oil industry. We have received positive feedbacks from the oils and fats business fraternity who acknowledge that POINTERS is an important tool for making informed decisions. The papers presented on this platform focus not only on palm oil but also on the economic perspectives of the global oils and fats trade.

For this edition, we have assembled presentations from renowned speakers who will give their views on the global oils and fats dynamics and its impacts on CPO prices as well as the situation in leading palm oil importing countries like India and China. This edition of POINTERS will also have a special section on India which will focus on the potential for palm oil in the growing Indian oleochemical market among other relevant issues and opportunities.

These presenters selected for POINTERS are among the best in their respective fields and will give their analyses based on the prevailing market conditions. Feel free to pose questions to any of the speakers as they will be more than happy to respond to your queries. As an added incentive, we have included attractive prizes to be won to the best and most relevant questions posed in the Q&A section.

I would also like to acknowledge the support of Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad and Kulim Berhad for being the sponsors of this edition of POINTERS. Your support and partnership is highly valued and vital to the success of this event.

I look forward to your active participation and hope that you will take full advantage of the presence of this panel and engage with them to further enhance your knowledge on the topics discussed.