Turn Handicraft Into A Commercial Industry, Felda Told
Bernama
KUALA TERENGGANU, Feb 18 (Bernama) — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak said today he has asked the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) to turn handicraft from mere artwork into a global commercial industry.
“Handicraft can become a commercial venture and it can be made available to a network of international suppliers,” he said.
Najib said such diversification of its economic resources could enable Felda to evolve into a global organisation in the steps of national oil corporation Petronas.
Petronas had also started out as a local oil company operating only in the country but now controlled a network that spanned more than 30 countries across the globe, he told reporters after opening the Glocal Malays Convention, here.
The term “glocal” is intended to mean that one has to be open to new ideas and yet be embedded in one’s own culture, that is, globally appropriate and culturally relevant.
Najib said he wanted Felda to make use of all available material and expertise to diversify its economic resources.
“Felda can be successful because we are the largest producer of palm oil in the world. As an organisation, we supply 7.5 per cent of the world’s supply of palm oil and we will expand the market for the sale of the commodity,” he said of Felda, which now comes under his purview.
Najib said the various projects that would contribute to Felda’s income would boost the organisation’s image at the international level.
He also said that Felda could venture into biotechnology and biodiesel and enhance its global image.
“The government is also expanding its investment overseas in related fields because Felda has a refinery abroad to enable it to venture into those sectors,” he said.
In his speech, Najib said he had asked Felda, which has 49 subsidiaries, to be an active global player.
“In time, Felda will become a multinational with glocal characteristics and it will be helmed by Malays who are also glocal in nature,” he said. The term “glocal” is derived from a combination of the words global and local.
Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh was also present at the two-day convention, which is organised by the Terengganu Development Institute and the Terengganu Government.
— BERNAMA
