Minister for International Trade and Investment Richard Maru will travel to Malaysia to meet the board and management of SD Guthrie to advance discussions on the state’s proposed acquisition of shares in Ramu Agri Industries (RAI).
SD Guthrie currently owns New Britain Palm Oil Ltd., which holds interests linked to RAI. The talks are part of the government’s broader strategy to expand RAI’s operations beyond the Ramu Valley, where available land for further development is fully utilised.
“The strategic reason behind this acquisition is to expand RAI’s business to other areas in the country because land in Ramu is fully utilised with no room for expansion,” Maru said. “We need to stop the importation of cattle and grow more sugar to replace over US$29 million worth of sugar that we import annually from mainly Thailand and Malaysia. We have the potential as a country to replace sugar imports, create thousands of new jobs in the sugar industry, and be a net exporter.”
While in Malaysia, Maru is scheduled to visit SD Guthrie Berhad’s operations. The company is among the world’s largest producers of certified sustainable palm oil. The visit will include briefings on SD Guthrie’s integrated plantation model, research and development capabilities, mechanisation programmes, smallholder support systems, biogas and sustainability initiatives, as well as its downstream refining and processing operations.
Maru will also meet with the Malaysian Palm Oil Board to discuss regulatory frameworks, research platforms and technology development initiatives that could inform Papua New Guinea’s own agricultural and agro-industrial development plans.
Meanwhile, New Britain Palm Oil Ltd. has formally confirmed it will provide an offer letter and a copy of its valuation report by Jan. 21, 2026, in relation to the state’s proposed acquisition in RAI. Maru said the government will conduct its own valuation and complete all due diligence before making a final decision on the purchase of shares.
