Trade hub to add more value to cocoa processing industry

Chocolate dreams: Wee (second from left) visiting the cocoa trade hub, which is located at Port of Tanjung Pelepas in Iskandar Puteri, Johor. — Photo courtesy of Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry

ISKANDAR PUTERI: Malaysia wants to strengthen its position as one of the world’s top cocoa bean processors following the opening of the country’s cocoa trade hub at the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) and Johor Port.

Deputy Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng said in 2021, the export value of cocoa and cocoa-based products has contributed to RM6.87bil to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is an increase of 9.5% compared to RM6.27bil in 2020.