Recently, the rubber situation tends to slow down in line with global economic growth. The Covid-19 pandemic severely affects the global economy and rubber demand by affecting supply chains and market disruption. Besides, crude oil prices were in a downtrend following the decreasing demand, especially the demand from China. Furthermore, the strengthening baht resulted in high Thailand’s rubber prices comparing with competitive countries. However, many rubber smallholders suffer from low rubber prices within the country. In this regard, the International Tripartite Rubber Council (ITRC) held the 34th teleconference meeting on 22-23 September 2020 with the honored of Mr. Ravi Muthayah, the Secretary-General of Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Malaysia, chaired the 34th ITRC Meeting. Furthermore, Mr. Mad Zaidi Bin Mohd Karli as the Head of Malaysian Delegation, Mr. Antonius Yudi Triantoro as the Head of Indonesia Delegation, Mr. Pisan Pongsapitch, the Deputy Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives as the Head of Thai Delegation, Mr. Supadetch Ongsakul, TRA Deputy Secretary-General as a Thai delegate, Ms. Piyaporn Saelim, TRA Manager, and TRA staff attended the meeting. 

According to the 34th ITRC Meeting, it can summarize the significant issues as following; 1). The meeting agreed to establish ASEAN Rubber Council (ARCo) following the objective and structure of ASEAN; 2). The meeting emphasized the strong ITRC members’ cooperation in implementing the Supply Management Scheme (SMS), which is important in rubber supply management, followed the set goal in 2025, including Thailand 4.358 million tons, Indonesia 3.671 million tons, and Malaysia 1.786 million tons. Moreover, the meeting suggested that ITRC member countries should focus on improving production by adapting GAP and the tapping system, which is more effective than increasing the rubber plantations; 3). The meeting agreed to increase domestic NR consumption in respective ITRC member countries; 4). The meeting agreed on the signing of MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION (MOC) ON RUBBERISED ROAD; 5). The meeting agreed to study the effects of the Covid-19 on the natural rubber sector and the efforts by respective TIM governments before, during, and after the Covid-19 pandemic; 6). The meeting agreed to study the sustainability issues in the natural rubber sector; 7). The meeting agreed to establish the AD-Hoc Committee to evaluate past performance and way forward of ITRC/IRCo; 8). The meeting took note that the IRCo Arbitration Rules 2018 had been successfully filed to secure copyright with the Office of Intellectual Property Innovation Driven Enterprise Center (IP IDE Center) under the Department of Intellectual Property of Thailand and the IP IDE Center issued the copyright certification on 19 June 2020.

The Thai Rubber Association is pleased to support the important policies of TIM governments. We believe that the strong cooperation of Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia plays a significant role in stabilizing rubber prices and developing forward the world’s NR industry with sustainability.    

Mr.Chaiyos Sincharoenkul

President

The Thai Rubber Association