OPENING REMARKS FOR THE OPENING CEREMONY OF

THE 19TH MEETING OF THE NATIONAL FOCAL POINTS FOR

ASEAN COCOA CLUB (ACC)
ON ASEAN COOPERATION AND JOINT APPROACHES IN AGRICULTURE AND
FOREST PRODUCTS PROMOTION SCHEME
19-20 MAY 2016
HOTEL SANTIKA PREMIER JOGJA
YOGYAKARTA, INDONESIA
______________________________________________________________________________
The Honourable,

Mr. Dedi Junaedi

Director of Processing and Marketing of Estate Crops
Directorate General of Estate Crops
Ministry of Agriculture, Indonesia
Mr. Naim Abdul Rahman
Trade Commissioner
Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE)
The National Trade Promotion Agency of Malaysia
Distinguished Guests,
Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen.

Assalamualaikum and A very good morning to all of you.

First of all, I would like to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Government of
Indonesia, especially the Ministry of Agriculture, Indonesia for hosting the 19th Meeting of the
National Focal Points for ASEAN Cocoa Club (ACC) on ASEAN Cooperation and Joint
Approaches in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme, held at this Hotel Santika
Premiere Jogja, Yogjakarta, Indonesia from 18 to 20 May 2016.
It is my great pleasure to welcome all the distinguished delegates from the six ASEAN member
countries namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam.
Somehow, we are still missing the participations of Brunei Darussalam, Myanmar and Laos

PDR, as the attendance of full quorum will provide more inputs and support for the
implementation of the ACC programmes and activities in years ahead.
My utmost appreciation and congratulation to the ACC Secretariat and the organizing committee
of Indonesia for so generously devoted their times and efforts in ensuring the preparations of this
Meeting successfully undertaken.
I also conveyed my congratulation to both the ASEAN Cocoa Club Technical Working Group on
Good Agriculture Practices (ACC TWGGAP) and the ASEAN Cocoa Club Technical Working
Group on Food Safety (ACC TWGFS) for concluding their fruitful Meetings yesterday.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The cocoa industry in ASEAN has been expanding rapidly and has attained significant
recognition in the global market. Currently, the ASEAN countries rank as the second largest
producers of cocoa beans in the world and the largest in the Asia and Oceania region. According
to the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), ASEAN countries with an estimated annual
cocoa production of 315.9 million tonnes, accounts for about 7.6 percent of the total world cocoa
production for the period of 2015/2016. The top three producing countries in the ASEAN
region, namely Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines contributed about 82.8 percent of the total
Asia and Oceania cocoa production.
Cocoa grindings activities in ASEAN countries have also been expanding rapidly. The current
estimated grindings of 661.0 million tonnes, accounts for 15.6 percent of the world total cocoa
grindings in 2015/2016. ASEAN is the largest cocoa processors in the Asia and Oceania region,
contributing about 75.3 percent.
ASEAN cocoa industry has attained significant recognition in the world as an important source
of cocoa beans and semi processed cocoa products such as cocoa liquor, cocoa butter, cocoa cake
and cocoa powder as well as chocolate products. Some members of the ASEAN countries are
well established as the major producers and exporters of cocoa beans and cocoa products.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Looking at the performances of the cocoa industry in ASEAN member countries, there are ample
opportunities to further develop and expand this industry. However, the industry must continue
to address challenges posed by the economic situation including price volatility, significant gap
between supply and demand, pest and diseases problems, stringent quarantine and food safety
requirements and many more. Therefore, greater efforts must be undertaken to safeguard the
future of the cocoa industry by ensuring the demand for cocoa continues to be sustained. Active
involvement from both private and government sectors should be strengthened further
particularly in addressing issues confronting the cocoa industries. It is important to have
continuous cooperation and networking from all the ASEAN countries as these will enable us to
strengthen our position in the global market and enhance the intra ASEAN trade on cocoa and
cocoa products.
Ladies and Gentlemen,

The 19th ACC Meeting is very important and crucial as we need to complete our task to discuss
and formulate strategies and finalise the new Strategic Plan of Action (SPA) for the period of
2016-2020, which is in line with the new Vision and Strategic Plan of ASEAN Cooperation in
Food, Agriculture and Forestry for 2016 to 2025, which was endorsed in the 37th AMAF Meeting
held in Makati City, Philippines on 10th September 2015.
Therefore, I urge full support and commitments from the ASEAN Delegates in the true spirit of
ASEAN to take this opportunity to work collectively and closely together as a powerful regional
cooperation to formulate the practical and effective programmes and activities, taking into
account the issues and challenges faced by the cocoa industry, the availability of resources and
financial constraints.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Before concluding, once again I would like to record my appreciation to the ACC Secretariat and
the Organizing Committee in Indonesia and all the relevant agencies from the public and private
sectors, who have worked diligently and tirelessly in ensuring the continuous success of the 19th
ACC Meeting.
I hope all the delegates will have an effective and fruitful discussion to further strengthen and
enhance our collaborative efforts in strengthening and enhancing long term competitiveness of
ASEAN cocoa and cocoa products in the international platform.
Thank you.

DATIN NORHAINI UDIN

Acting Director General
Malaysian Cocoa Board/
Chairman of the ASEAN Cocoa Club
19 May 2016