The annual Palm and Lauric Oils Conference & Exhibition (POC) will return from 5 to 7 March 2012 to analyse price outlook, trends, developments and challenges in the global palm and edible oils market. The 23rd installation of the conference, to be held in Kuala Lumpur's Shangri-La Hotel, will take on the theme of 'Global Shocks... Local Impact' in view of the volatile developments in the global economy and their consequential effect on markets.

The two-day conference, organised by Bursa Malaysia Derivatives (BMD) and supported by Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), will feature renowned speakers and experts in the industry. They include Mr. Dorab Mistry, Director of Godrej International Limited; Mr. Thomas Mielke, Executive Director of ISTA Mielke GmBH (Oil World); Dr. James Fry, Chairman of LMC International Ltd; YBhg Dato' Carl Bek-Nielsen, Vice Chairman & Executive Director of United Plantations Bhd; and Mr. Sunny George Verghese, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Olam International Ltd; to name a few.

Dato' Tajuddin Atan, Chief Executive Officer of Bursa Malaysia and Chairman of Bursa Malaysia Derivatives, said, "The Palm and Lauric Oils Conference & Exhibition has come a long way. Over the years, it has earned its reputation as the avenue to gain valuable insight into the trends and challenges facing the edible oils industry. Our Crude Palm Oil Futures (FCPO) contract, which is the global benchmark for the pricing of palm oil and its related products, continues to break trading records. This testifies Malaysia's relevance as the focal point to discuss and chart the future growth of this commodity. I look forward to exciting discussions and deliberations from both local and international experts at the conference next month."

Yang Berhormat Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, will officiate the conference and present the keynote address, while Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun Mohamed Dzaiddin Haji Abdullah, Chairman of Bursa Malaysia, will deliver the welcome remarks.

This flagship conference is one of the largest gatherings of palm oil and related oil industry players including producers, refiners, dealers and traders as well as commodity hedge fund managers and proprietary traders. Participants will have the opportunity to hear expert views on the state and future of palm oil, biofuels and related oil industry. The conference is expected to attract more than 2,000 participants from around the world coming from a variety of sectors. They include physical commodity traders, financial traders, millers, refiners, shippers, fund managers, importers and plantation managers.

This year's conference received support from Sime Darby as the lead partner, Emery Oleochemicals and LT International Futures as Titanium sponsors and other corporate sponsors, partners and supporters.

The event provides a platform for exhibitors to feature the latest products and services of the oils and fats industry and enables delegates to network and share perspectives on the latest market developments.