Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGV) plans to expand the sugar refinery of its unit, MSM Malaysia Holdings Bhd, to increase the country’s output.

FGV chairperson Mohd Isa Abdul Samad, said the plan will enable MSM to increase sugar output by 1,000 tonnes to 4,000 tonnes a day.

Isa, however, said the plan was in the initial stage.

“The land adjacent to the refinery belongs to Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd. If we can get its approval, we will expand the refinery,” he told a media briefing after the groundbreaking ceremony for a surau in MSM and the presentation of FGV’s zakat payment in Butterworth today.

He said the expansion of the refinery will enable it to boost sugar exports to more countries, among them South Korea and Japan.

“Currently, MSM produced about 950,000 tonnes of sugar a year and exported about 159,000 tonnes to over 15 countries.

“The company would definitely want to increase exports but this would depend on raw materials and the needs of the country,” he said.

Earlier, Isa said the surau, which cost RM650,000, will be ready in two months.

- Bernama