Synbion Sdn Bhd, the spin-off company of  UMPSA Holdings Sdn Bhd., and the Philippines-based United Agarwood Planters, Inc.  (UAP) have inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to further boost their joint  collaboration in the agarwood industry, using a scientific-based breakthrough product.

Under the MoA, signed today at the 2nd Conference on “Rethinking the Future of  Sustainability” (ReTHINK 2024), Synbion will supply to UAP the OUDIno, a natural  based inoculant for agarwood or gaharu trees to produce high quality agarwood chip  grade with the assistance, facilitation and guarantee from Iba Botanicals Inc. (IBI), the  parent company of UAP.  

IBI has proposed to work with Synbion as the exclusive partner for the Philippines.  The move is to ensure that the uptake of the OUDIno technology can be streamlined  and strengthened through one point of contact, and further supported by IBI’s industry leading position.  

UAP focuses on the development of the agarwood industry in the Philippines while  IBI, the sole shareholder of UAP, based in the Philippines has pioneered the  production of high-value botanical extracts from the Philippines for export to global  markets since 2018.  

The MoA also proposed that OUDIno would continue to be manufactured in Malaysia  for now, but both parties will consider additional manufacturing facilities of OUDIno in  the Philippines under a license as the plantations in the Philippines mature and volume  escalates. 

As part of future collaboration, IBI has also requested for a quotation for 125,000 units  of OUDIno for use on a plantation in the Philippines.  

Minister of Higher Education Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said that he was  proud to witness this academic based research initiative has evolved into a  commercialised export-driven product with direct impact to the GDP of the country. “I  am proud to witness this strategic collaboration between Synbion and UAP. By  working closely with various stakeholders, universities can ensure that their research  is relevant and that its benefits are widely distributed,” he said in his ministerial address  at the ReTHINK 2024. 

In his Ministerial address, Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr Zambry Abd Kadir emphasised that  universities have a responsibility to ensure that their research contributes to a  sustainable future. This involves integrating sustainability into the curriculum,  encouraging students to engage in projects that address environmental and social  challenges, and fostering a culture of ethical responsibility. 

Meanwhile, Chairman of ASEAN Business Advisory Council Malaysia said Tan Sri  Mohamed Nazir Tun Abdul Razak in his keynote address said that embracing  emerging technologies and fostering a culture of creativity can lead to breakthroughs  that address pressing issues. He also commended Synbion and UMPSA Holdings for  successfully developing the OUDIno product for the agarwood industry.  

“For those who do not know, agarwood is the source of oud; one of the most expensive  oil extracts in the world and recognised as the king of scents,” said Tan Sri Mohamed  Nazir who is also Chairman of Pahang State Economic Advisory Council. 

“As we look to the future, the path to sustainability requires vision, commitment and  collaboration. It demands that we rethink our approaches, innovate boldly and act  decisively. By integrating environmental stewardship, social equity and economic  viability into our strategies, we can create a resilient and equitable world for current  and future generations,” added Tan Sri Mohamed Nazir.

Chairman of UMPSA Holdings Sdn Bhd Dato’ Sri Dr. Salehuddin Ishak said the OUDIno is the result of the university’s commitment in research and development in  the agarwood.  

“The university has been established as the Agarwood One-Stop Centre as it has  produced various high quality and scientific-based breakthrough products from  collaboration with local and international parties.  

This collaboration with UAP will further enhance our agarwood industry and expand  the market of the high-quality agarwood,” added Dato’ Sri Dr Salehuddin. 

The two-day ReTHINK 2024, themed “Emerging Trends in Smart Agriculture and  Plantations” which began yesterday features leading industry and academic experts to  discuss issues related to food security, smart agriculture and technological innovation  in the agriculture and plantation industry to drive competitiveness and sustainability. 

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