Two hundred participants attended the two-day National Rubber Economic Conference 2009, held in Kuala Lumpur on 23 and 24 June 2009. The Conference was officiated by the Honourable Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, YB Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok. Also in attendance was the Deputy Minister, YB Dato' Hamzah Zainuddin, Chairman MRB, YBhg Tan Sri Megat Zaharudin Megat Mohd Noor and YBhg Dato' Dr Kamarul Baharain bin Basir, Director General MRB.
Bearing the theme "Surviving the Economic Doldrums: The Way Forward", the conference brought together both the government sector and practitioners of the rubber industry to discuss updates on current trends and future challenges faced by the rubber industry. The conference also provided a platform to inform the industry of government policies, incentives, facilities and support services available to the Malaysian rubber industry.
A total of 19 papers were delivered by speakers from both the industry and the government sector.