The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) is an inter-governmental organization, formed by natural rubber producing countries to promote the overall interests of the commodity. It was founded by Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam in October 1970. Its membership is open to the governments of countries producing natural rubber.

The objectives of the Association are: to bring about co-ordination in the production and marketing of natural rubber; to promote technical co-operation among members; and to bring about remunerative and stable prices for natural rubber.

In furtherance of the above objectives, the Association's functions are as follows: make studies of the world rubber position and examine the short- and long-term problems facing the natural rubber industry; promote research and development in production, marketing and consumption of natural rubber; set up such institutional arrangements as may be considered necessary; cooperate with appropriate international organizations; make recommendations to members whenever necessary.

The Association engages in a number of activities which are of importance to the natural rubber industry in all member countries. The major ones include the following: (a) programs/projects/studies on natural rubber in the areas of statistics, South American Leaf Blight (SALB), rubber smallholder development, marketing, quality, packaging, pricing, cost of production of natural rubber in member countries, development of rubber-based manufacturing industries in member countries, etc.; (b) natural rubber information collection, documentation, and dissemination; (c) organization of seminars and workshops on any one of the areas cited; and (d) maintaining information linkages with other international organizations.

COMPOSITION

8 member countries: India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

STRUCTURE

The Assembly, which is the supreme body of the Association, is made up of all members of the ANRPC; its regular session is held once a year.

The Executive Committee of the Association exercises the functions of the Association between sessions of the Assembly. It consists of all members of the Association and it is empowered to determine procedural matters and to make such rules as may be necessary for the proper functioning of the Secretariat.

The Executive Committee appoints and determines the membership and functions of other committees as may be necessary. Each of these committees elects its own chairman. At present, there are two committees: Committee on NR Statistics and the Coordinating Committee on Production and Marketing Strategies. Working Groups and expert groups for specific purposes are established as and when necessary.

The Secretariat of the Association functions: to provide the necessary link between members; to make preparations for all meetings of the Assembly and the Executive Committee and to service such meetings; to maintain liaison with international organizations whose work is of interest to the Association; to make such studies as specified from time to time by the various committees of the Association; and to carry out the directives of the Association.

GENERAL PUBLICATIONS