Core Insights - Malaysia's cocoa industry has transformed into a significant player in the global market, becoming the second largest cocoa processing center in Asia and the fifth globally, with a remarkable export growth of 64% in 2023, reaching 13.47 billion MYR (approximately 2.85 billion USD) [1][4] Group 1: Industry Overview - Malaysia's cocoa bean production accounts for less than 1% of the global total, yet it plays a crucial role in the cocoa supply chain as a processing hub [1] - The country has modernized its production capabilities and established a comprehensive supply chain, supported by favorable government policies [1][4] - The "Bean-to-Bar" strategy initiated in 2010 has significantly enhanced the local cocoa processing industry, allowing Malaysia to evolve from a tropical plantation to a global cocoa manufacturing center [3] Group 2: Processing and Innovation - The cocoa processing involves several steps, including fermentation, drying, roasting, and grinding, which ultimately produce cocoa liquor, the foundation for all chocolate products [2] - Local brands like Beryl's are promoting supply chain transparency and innovative marketing strategies, such as printing farmers' portraits and plantation GPS coordinates on packaging, which has increased product premiums by approximately 30% [3] Group 3: Government Support and Trade Policies - The Malaysian government has established a multi-layered policy support system, linking chocolate sales to environmental conservation, which provides tariff reductions for certified products [4] - Free trade agreements like CPTPP and RCEP have enabled zero tariffs for cocoa powder exports to China and Japan, further enhancing Malaysia's competitive edge in the global market [4] Group 4: Cultural Integration and Market Expansion - The unique flavors of Malaysian cocoa are being integrated with local culinary traditions, creating innovative chocolate products that appeal to global consumers [5] - The combination of local ingredients with chocolate has expanded the flavor profile and market potential, attracting international attention [5] Group 5: Challenges and Future Outlook - The cocoa industry faces challenges such as climate change, which has led farmers to switch to flood-resistant cocoa varieties, and a shrinking cultivation area due to competition from palm oil [6] - Despite these challenges, Malaysia's cocoa industry has established a foothold in the competitive international market, showcasing its unique flavors and products to consumers worldwide [6]

Economic Growth and Recovery - Côte d'Ivoire has achieved an average economic growth rate of 7% over the past decade, emerging from the devastation of civil wars to become a leading economy in Sub-Saharan Africa [1] - Following the end of conflicts in 2011, the government implemented a national development plan that led to an average GDP growth of approximately 9.6% from 2012 to 2015 [5][6] Agricultural Sector and Cocoa Industry - Côte d'Ivoire is the world's largest cocoa producer, contributing 40% of global cocoa beans, but has historically been trapped in low-value raw material exports [7] - The government aims to achieve 100% local processing of cocoa beans by 2030, with current local conversion rates at about 33% [10] - A new state-owned cocoa processing plant, capable of processing 50,000 tons annually, has recently commenced operations [10] Infrastructure Development - Côte d'Ivoire is the second-largest economy in the West African Economic Community and is actively enhancing its infrastructure to become a regional economic hub [13] - The country has a total road length of 82,500 kilometers, accounting for 50% of the total road length in the West African Economic and Monetary Union [16] - The Abidjan port, the largest container port in West Africa, has increased its annual throughput from 1.2 million to 2.5 million standard containers after upgrades [16] Private Sector Activation - The government has adopted a "flooding the market" approach to stimulate the private economy through policy relaxation and market opening [17] - In 2023, over 25,000 new businesses were registered in Côte d'Ivoire, reflecting a vibrant entrepreneurial environment [17] - The collaboration between public and private sectors has resulted in an average economic growth rate of 6.5% from 2021 to 2023, despite global challenges [17]

Group 1 - Mainland Group plans to invest nearly $100 million in Liberia over the next five years, focusing on six agricultural projects including cassava processing, rice production, and cocoa deep processing [1] - The investment aims to enhance the value-added of agricultural products by establishing cocoa butter and cocoa powder processing plants, targeting to increase the income of over 150,000 farmers [1] - Fixed asset investment is expected to reach between $26 million and $28 million, with operational funding estimated at approximately $60 million to $70 million [1] Group 2 - The Liberian Minister of Agriculture announced that the Chinese government will provide an additional 16 agricultural machines, bringing the total to 304 [1] - The Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee emphasized that this investment will drive the transformation of Liberia's agriculture sector, with efforts to restart the Agricultural Development Bank to support industry financing [1] - If the projects are implemented, this will represent the largest private agricultural investment in Liberia in recent years, significantly improving food self-sufficiency and farmers' livelihoods [1]

Core Insights - A new cocoa processing plant has been inaugurated in Divo, Ivory Coast, with an annual processing capacity of 36,000 tons [1] - The plant represents an investment of 32 billion CFA francs (approximately 57 million USD) and is expected to create 1,000 jobs [1] - The facility will produce cocoa derivatives such as butter, cocoa fat, cocoa powder, cocoa blocks, and chocolate [1] - The plant utilizes solar energy for power and employs biomass boilers to use cocoa bean waste, reducing fossil fuel consumption [1] - Ivory Coast is the world's largest producer of cocoa beans, with a crushing capacity of 950,000 tons and an annual output of approximately 750,000 tons of processed cocoa [1]