9 March 2020 (Monday) – Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) has upgraded its Herbal Technology Centre (HTC) extraction facilities to meet the growing market demand of herbal entrepreneurs.

The HTC extraction facility launching ceremony and open day was officiated by FRIM Director General (DG) Datuk Dr Abd Latif Mohmod on 3 March. In conjunction with the event, he also launched the book entitled, ‘Amalan Pengilangan Baik: Pengalaman Pusat Teknologi Herba (HTC) FRIM’.

From left: Zamree, Khali Aziz, Abd Latif and Norhayati during the launching ceremony of HTC Extraction Facility.	Herbal entrepreneurs and FRIM staff posing for a group photograph with Abd Latif (seated, middle).

Also present, Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resources (KATS) Biodiversity Management and Forestry Division Principal Assistant Secretary Sharmida Alia Sariff, FRIM Deputy DG (Operations) Dr Khali Aziz Hamzah, FRIM Deputy DG (Research) Dato’ Marzalina Mansor, and FRIM Innovation and Commercialisation (ICD) Director Norhayati Nordin.

Many interesting activities were conducted, such as visit to HTC’s facilities and exhibitions by HTC, ICD, FRIM Incorporated Sdn Bhd, FRIM Cooperative and HerbaXpress.

Zamree (far right) showing HTC facilities during the visit.	From left: Zamree, Lau and Mohammad Husaini speaking during the pocket talk session.

An information sharing session or ‘Pocket talk’ was also held on the following topics:

• Experience Sharing on the Commercialisation of Herbal Extract by Coral Waves Sdn Bhd Marketing Manager Jackson Lau;
• MTDC: The Complete Equation – Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) Senior Vice President, Research, Mohammad Husaini Dahalan; and
• Opportunities of Service Facilities in HTC – HTC Programme Head Dr Zamree Md. Shah.

The programme was attended by 32 invited participants from herbal companies and 67 FRIM staff.