KUALA LUMPUR, January 30- The resumed negotiations for the Malaysia-European Union Free Trade Agreement (MEUFTA) provide new opportunities for the country's palm oil sector.

The Director-General of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Datuk Dr Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir, hopes that the agreement will enhance global confidence and reduce restrictions on the country’s palm oil.

He stated that Malaysia has taken various necessary steps to improve sustainability and standards in the palm oil industry.

This includes the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification scheme, which ensures the production of sustainable palm oil.

"This will demonstrate to the world that the palm oil we produce is sustainable, environmentally safe, does not cause harm, and also safeguards the welfare of labor, workers, and the environment, while complying with all existing laws as well as limiting deforestation.

"So, all this can prove to the world that the palm oil we produce is sustainable and should be accepted in global markets without any suspicion," he said to RTM.

Malaysia and the European Union (EU) agreed to expedite the negotiations following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's visit to Brussels last week.

This is part of efforts to strengthen Malaysia's economic ties with one of the world's largest trading blocs.

The MEUFTA negotiations, which began in 2010, were stalled in 2012 due to the country's concerns regarding palm oil procurement policies, subsidies, and EU sustainability clauses.