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The natural rubber (NR) industry is expected to contribute RM52.9 billion to gross national income (GNI) by 2020 compared with RM19 billion in 2010.

Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Datuk Hamzah Zainudin, said of the amount, the rubber glove sector would contribute RM30 billion.

He said to achieve the target, the production of NR, especially latex, has to be increased.

"The hectarage of rubber will also be increased from 1.02 million hectares to 1.2ha by 2020.

The output is expected to rise to two million tonnes and the productivity will be raised from 1.5 tonnes per ha to two tonnes," he said in reply to a question by Wan Abd Rahim Wan Abdullah (PAS-Kota Baharu) at the Dewan Rakyat here yesterday.

Wan Abd Rahim wanted to know the government's plan to make the country the top producer of NR in the world. Hamzah said currently, the country has 1.02 million ha under rubber, compared with 3.44 million ha in Indonesia and 2.78 million ha in Thailand.

"In the 1990s, the country has 1.83 million ha under rubber producing 1.29 million metric tonnes," he said.

He said Malaysia was now the third largest producer and exporter of NR in the world and this would be maintained.

"Malaysia will also defend its position as the top producer of high-end rubber goods," he said.

Hamzah said Malaysia was the largest producer of rubber gloves in the world, with 63 per cent share. Hamzah says currently, the country has 1.02 million ha under rubber, compared with 3.44 million ha in Indonesia and 2.78 million ha in Thailand. — Bernama