ANRPC to step up productivity, increase acreage

by L. S. A. Wedaarachchi

[email protected]
 

The members of the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) adopted a resolution to improve productivity and increase the acreage of rubber lands to meet the growing demand for natural rubber in the world market, said Director General, Rubber Development Department, Wimal Rubasinghe.

Rubasinghe who represented Sri Lanka at the 31st ANRPC Assembly in Malaysia last week said that due to the high demand, natural rubber producers will get higher prices in the future.

"Only natural rubber can be used as the raw material for strong industrial products such as heavy vehicle tyres and road bumpers. Synthetic rubber is a by product of oil and the price is increasing due to the oil price hikes, he said.

The ANRPC members are Thailand, Indonesia, China Malaysia, India, Vietnam, Singapore, Papua, New Guinea and Sri Lanka.

Rubasinghe said the ANRPC has decided to hold the world Rubber Conference by the end of November this year. All rubber producing and consuming countries will be invited to the conference to discuss matters related to the future of the natural rubber sector.