Below is an excerpt from PLS Plantations Bhd chairman Tan Sri Nazir Razak's statement in PLS' latest annual report, which was filed with Bursa Malaysia on Friday (Oct 28).

There was a palpable sense of relief as the world transitioned towards endemicity. With the successful global roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine, economies began to reopen and normalise.

As a nation, Malaysia had done well in containing the pandemic and in executing the nationwide vaccine roll-out.

The cooperation between the people and the government allowed Malaysia to stave off the worst, bounce back quickly and chart its path to full recovery.

Malaysian companies and businesses had to navigate uncertainties and weaknesses that were brought to light during the pandemic, most notably supply chain disruptions impacting the supply and delivery of produce, food and raw materials to finished products, delayed timelines, and availability of labour due to lockdowns and travel restrictions.

These challenges are set to continue in the near term while the Covid-19 challenge lingers on.

At the same time, rising uncertainties and frictions in global trading will make nations more eager to be self-sufficient in strategic areas.

Crises always present opportunities. As nations and companies step up the race to secure and lock in food supplies and management of escalating food bills, the conversation around food sufficiency and security have been propelled to the top of the agenda.

This presents tremendous opportunities, and also responsibilities, for businesses in the agriculture sector.

PLS therefore is stepping up to support the nation's efforts to achieve greater food sufficiency levels whilst maintaining our discipline in executing our plan to become a leading sustainable agrofood company.

Tan Sri Nazir Razak
Chairman
PLS Plantations Bhd