The Malaysian Rubber Council (MRC) will set up a special fund worth RM36 million to encourage the downstream industry, especially rubber glove producers, to hire more local workers.

Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali said MRC has been rebranded from the Malaysian Rubber Export Promotion Council to reflect the expanded agency’s role in the development of the downstream rubber industry, human capital and advanced technology adoption as well as investment promotion of the country's rubber industry.