Kamarul Baharain on Friday assumed office as the Secretary General of the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC), an international organisation of rubber producing countries.
According to a release issued by the Rubber Board, the appointment follows a decision to this effect taken by the 33rd session of the ANRPC Assembly held in Kochi in October 2010.
The appointment is for three years. The ANRPC follows a system of rotation among member-governments for appointing its chief executive officers.
Dr. Kamarul Baharain, a nominee of the Government of Malaysia, succeeds Indonesia's Djoko S. Damardjati, who completed his tenure on June 30.
11 countries
The ANRPC has 11 member-countries —. Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.
India, currently, is holding the chairmanship of the Association, the release said.
Dr. Kamarul Baharain, former Director-General of the Malaysian Rubber Board, brings to the ANRPC more than 34 years of diverse experiences he had gained in developing the rubber industry of Malaysia through research and development; legislation and enforcement; supporting services; marketing and training.
He had served the Malaysian Rubber Board in various capacities from 1976 onwards. He became its Director-General in 2006, a position which he held until 2010.
