October 19, 2002	Saturday	Sha'aban 12, 1423

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18: Crude palm oil (CPO) prices on Malaysia’s Derivatives Exchange are expected to maintain an upward swing after rising four per cent this week, dealers said on Friday.

CPO prices for November closed at 1,426 ringgit a ton at the end of the week. Palm oil prices are pretty firm this week and is on an upward trend, said a dealer with a local brokerage.

He said exports in the first half of the month was robust at about 470,000 tons, and likely to increase amid strong demand from China, India and Pakistan ahead of forthcoming festive seasons.

December contract was up 56 ringgit to 1,430 a ton while Jan contract added 55 ringgit at 1,433. The average daily price for Nov was 1,408.60 ringgit a ton. —AFP