Oman Aimed to Build Rubberised Roads in the Dessert

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The Sultanate of Oman aimed to build rubberised roads in the dessert. The roads will be more flexible and durable compared to those made of concrete. This Thailand’s rubber innovation has been globally recognized. The initiative is believed to boost the rubber price close to the 60 baht/kilogram target.

On Monday March 11, 2019, Mr. Grisada Boonrach, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives welcomed Mr. Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, the Sultanate of Oman’s Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs together with his agriculture counsellors and technical team to observe the Thai rubber mixing technology in Cha-cherng-sao province. The Rubber Authority of Thailand established this project to promote the collaboration in the rubber industry between Thailand and the Sultanate of Oman. The delegates paid a study visit to view prototype roads which will lead to future jointed research studies. As Thailand is one of the largest rubber producing countries, this joint efforts are aimed to promote rubber innovation at international level.

The Sultanate of Oman was very interested in agriculture, fisheries, health issues and rubberised road technology in Thailand, said the Thai Minister. The Sultanate of Oman’s Minister came to discuss how to utilize natural rubber in road building for dessert geography. Natural rubber possesses more flexibility and durability compared to concrete. There are also demands for process into rubber pavers and water pond liners.

We are supportive both in terms of technology and raw materials, said the Thai Minister. These will lead to trade and investment opportunities. Thailand’s rubber standards and innovations are recognized worldwide. The Oman delegates also observed Para Soil Cement roads building and application of rubber for mid layer and surface in road building performed by Ministry of Transportation. So far over 30,000 tons of natural rubber have been utilized for road construction. By the end of this fiscal year (September 2019), more than 80,000 tons of natural rubber will be exploited. The Thai government will compensate for loan interest through the cooperatives where rubber is directly purchased from farmers. Natural rubber will be processed into blocks for export. Reduction of rubber plantations aged over 25 years, amounted 400,000 rai is foreseen. Upon several measures including increasing utilization of rubber by the government, rubber prices is expected to hit the 60 baht/kg target. Currently, rubber sheet prices have soared to over 54 baht/kg.

Date published 13/03/2019

Source     https://siamrath.co.th/n/69047    https://www.dailynews.co.th/politics/697914