SD Guthrie delivers first tariff-free palm oil shipment under CPTPP to UK

KUALA LUMPUR: SD Guthrie Bhd delivered its first-ever tariff-free shipment of Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)-certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO) to the United Kingdom (UK) under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
In a statement today, the company announced that its SD Guthrie International Liverpool Refinery received 8,000 tonnes of fully traceable and segregated CSPO. The cargo was shipped aboard the Dolphin 19 from Kunak Port, Sabah on Feb 19.
The CSPO had also undergone stringent testing to ensure low levels of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons, it added.
"The CPTPP is a free trade agreement initially signed in 2018 by 11 Pacific Rim countries, including Malaysia. The agreement removes most tariffs while promoting economic integration and maintaining strong labour and environmental protections among its member states.
"With the UK's official membership in the CPTPP taking effect on Dec 15, 2024, tariffs on crude palm oil and its derivatives imported from Malaysia into the UK have been eliminated. Previously, these tariffs ranged from two per cent to 10 per cent,' it said in a statement today.
SD Guthrie group managing director Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha said the shipment highlighted not only the strength of the Malaysia-UK trade relations but also the company's strong commitment to ensure quality, traceability and security of sustainable palm oil supply to customers in the UK.
For over a decade, SD Guthrie's Liverpool refinery has been the company's gateway for CSPO to enter the UK market, supplying approximately 50 per cent to 55 per cent of domestic palm oil demand.
Its refined products are widely used for deep-frying in fish-and-chip shops across the country and as key ingredients in the production of many popular brands of biscuits, baked goods and British confectionery favourites.
"While our supply chain in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has been and remains the main source of our products for the UK market, this latest shipment originating from our supply chain in Sabah underscores our capability to provide consistent and stable supply of CSPO to the UK, while maintaining the highest standards of quality, sustainability and food safety.
"Depending on market conditions and customer requirements, we can offer customers the security of supply they need to run their businesses, from Malaysia or PNG,' he added. - Bernama

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

The Sun

an hour ago

• The Sun

SD Guthrie, Sime Darby Property to develop industrial and logistics hub on Carey Island

PETALING JAYA: SD Guthrie Bhd and Sime Darby Property Bhd (SDP) have signed a joint venture agreement to develop up to 2,000 acres of land on Carey Island, Selangor, to support sustainable economic growth and innovation. The joint venture agreement is a culmination of discussions which began in 2023, and is driven by a shared vision for long-term value creation that will be formalised through the establishment of a special purpose vehicle (SPV). The collaboration represents a unique opportunity for both companies to unlock Carey Island's full potential, transforming it into a leading industrial and logistics hub that will co-exist with the integrated and well-established palm oil business on the island and complement the existing operations at Westports and Northport in Port Klang. Both SD Guthrie and SDP are strategic investee companies of Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB), one of the largest fund management companies in Malaysia. PNB will nominate the chairman of the newly formed SPV. PNB president and group chief executive Datuk Abdul Rahman Ahmad said, 'We laud and greatly support this joint venture between SD Guthrie and SDP, which aligns with national aspirations and GEAR-uP initiatives by the government in catalysing domestic investments. This collaboration between PNB's two strategic companies will provide a boost towards the sustainable development of this high potential area as well as help bolster further Malaysia's economic and industrialisation growth.' The 2,000 acre site on Carey Island provides the scalability required for world-class logistics facilities, integrated supply chains and high-value industrial developments, required to attract global players and investments. The port will thus be well positioned to compete with ports in Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, giving a boost to Malaysia's aspirations to become a logistics powerhouse in the region. Today, Carey Island is celebrated for its fully integrated oil palm plantation, the last one of its kind in the Greater Klang Valley. It is an important location for the Malaysian plantation industry and is used frequently to host visitors from around the world, including foreign government delegations, ambassadors, research and development (R&D) institutions and universities. SD Guthrie operates two estates and palm oil mills on the island, all of which are certified to the highest sustainability standards in the world. Also on the island are a kernel crushing plant, biodiesel plant, R&D facilities, robotics and innovation centre and nursery. Palm oil produced in Carey Island is processed in two large refineries located nearby in Langat and Port Klang, which serve customers from around the world. There are also 14 historical buildings on Carey Island that are listed as heritage sites by the National Heritage Department, a large biodiversity park and sensitive mangrove ecosystems that are maintained by SD Guthrie. Combined with the thriving plantation business, the new development on Carey Island will stimulate economic growth, generate employment opportunities and uplift the local economy while preserving the valuable heritage elements of the site. The strategic approach to foster sustainable value creation will ensure that the needs and well-being of local communities, including the indigenous Mah Meri people on the island, are prioritised. SD Guthrie owns 79% of Carey Island, or 28,646 acres. The plantation is managed sustainably to ensure environmental conservation. In 2024, SD Guthrie announced its expansion into two new business areas: industrial parks and renewable energy. In a joint statement issued by the two companies, SD Guthrie group managing director Datuk Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha said, 'We fully support the government's aspirations to accelerate the growth of international trade and cater to the demand for innovative industrial facilities. Carey Island has been identified by the government as the new site for a world-class port due to its suitable and strategic location near Port Klang, and proximity to Pulau Indah. 'Additionally, the island is conveniently connected to the city via the South Klang Valley Expressway which integrates with the North-South Expressway, ensuring accessibility.' SDP group managing director and CEO Datuk Seri Azmir Merican said, 'We are excited to partner with SD Guthrie on this timely opportunity to unlock value in Carey Island as a dynamic port and advance the nation's aspirations of becoming a regional logistics and economic hub. The collaboration allows us to begin master planning and designing a future-ready industrial ecosystem that will serve the needs of businesses and communities for years to come.'

The Star

15 hours ago

• The Star

Taxes should prioritise people's overall well-being

TAXES are never popular. So, it's not surprising that the recent expansion of the sales and service tax (SST) has ignited concern across Malaysia. On June 9, the government announced a targeted review of the SST rate, which would take effect from July 1. The tax rate would remain the same for essential goods, while a rate of 5% or 10% will be imposed on non-essential or discretionary goods. It was presented as a measure targeting luxury items. But the problem is, one person's luxury might be another's staple. Going by the updated list of what's taxable, the SST could have a broader impact than most thought, raising concerns about an escalation in the cost of living for everyday Malaysians. The government has previously indicated it is open to reviewing policies, especially when a lot of people raise concerns – and with the number of people worried about this tax, it would do well to make sure to review it and ensure it does not inadvertently place an undue burden on those who can least afford it. The expanded SST encom­passes a diverse range of neces­sities and services, not only ­premium goods, such as salmon and avocados. It includes wedding rentals and catering, as well as traditional medicine, postnatal massages, elderly care and beauty treatments – services often seen as fundamental life events or crucial support rather than mere indulgences. Adding to the apprehension, the expansion removes tax exemp­tions on some basic food items. Items like mangoes, apples, oranges, dates, sauces, spices, canned fruits and instant food, which were previously exempt, will now incur a 5% tax. This change is expected to increase food prices in markets, restaurants and homes alike. The number of taxable items has increased from fewer than 1,000 to over 4,000 sub-codes, while the list of exempt items has been cut by 70%. So the new tax will obviously have a wide-ranging impact on people's daily lives. The announcement on Thurs­day by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that the government will review the implementation of the SST on selected imported goods, including common fruits such as apples and mandarin oranges, is a highly welcome development. The government's willingness to re-examine the policy is a positive step towards ensuring that taxation genuinely serves its purpose without disproportionately affecting the vulnerable segments of society. Taxes are unavoidable in modern civilisation and no country can function without them. And, Malaysia certainly cannot continue to live with increasing budget deficits every year. But the government must balance between increasing revenue collection and making sure the people don't suffer unnecessarily.

Borneo Post

a day ago

• Borneo Post

Sabah National Tabletop Con showcases creative tourism through play

The organisers of The Sabah National Tabletop Con 2025 with Josie Lai (sixth from right). KOTA KINABALU (June 21): The Sabah National Tabletop Con 2025 officially opened on Saturday at IMAGO Shopping Mall here, marking a new chapter for Sabah in promoting tourism and culture through the creative world of tabletop games. Organized by the Sabah Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (STTOS), in collaboration with #LaiPlayLeow (Singapore) and XMultisport Event (Sabah), the two-day event brings together local talent, tourism players, and board game enthusiasts to celebrate design, imagination and play. The event is the grand finale of the Sabah National Board Game Design Competition, launched earlier this year to encourage local creators to develop games inspired by Sabah's diverse natural beauty, indigenous heritage and cultural narratives. In her officiating speech, Datuk Josie Lai Ming Sing, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment for Sabah said: 'This pioneering event brings together creativity, tourism and collaboration through the medium of board games. We celebrate not just the finalists, but the birth of Sabah's very own board game — a fresh and imaginative way to introduce our stories to the world.' Visitors can enjoy game showcases, creative workshops, playtest stations, merchandise booths and special lucky draws. The top three board game winners are being featured and played by the public for the first time at the event. 'This is more than just a gathering of game lovers — it's a bold move to position Sabah as a creative hub and national destination for cultural innovation,' said STTOS managing director Wendy Clare Stephen. The event is supported by key partners including the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS), Sabah Tourism Board, Tourism Malaysia, Sabah Art Gallery, and IMAGO Shopping Mall, which generously hosts the national-level event. 'Let us continue supporting those who believe in the power of creativity to elevate Sabah's presence on the global stage,' Josie concluded her speech.