India to Chair International Rubber Study Group

The new Chairmanship of the International Rubber Study Group has been overwhelmingly voted to India (IRSG). IRSG is an intergovernmental organization made up of countries that produce and consume natural rubber (NR) and synthetic rubber (SR).

KN Raghavan, the head of the Indian delegation to IRSG and the Executive Director of the Indian Rubber Board, will serve as Chairman of IRSG for the next two years.

As Cote d'Ivoire's term as chairman came to an end, the position of chairman became vacant. India, as both a producer and a consumer of rubber, will be well-positioned to protect both producers' and consumers' interests in the IRSG.

International Rubber Study Group

The organization was founded in 1944, with Singapore as its headquarters. IRSG is the sole venue where NR and SR producers and consumers can meet to address topics of common concern.

Apart from collecting and disseminating statistics on global NR and SR production, consumption, and trade, the IRSG provides a venue for discussion on issues impacting the global rubber sector and serves as a link between government and industry.

It is also the only international commodities group approved for development finance in the rubber industry by the Common Fund for Commodities.

The IRSG has a panel of associates in addition to member nations to enhance engagement between industry and the Secretariat. On payment of an annual membership fee, any company or organization interested in the rubber industry can join the panel of associates.

ANRPC, IRSG, and IRRDB are three significant worldwide rubber organizations. The first two are intergovernmental, whereas the third is a research institution network. Raghavan, the group's new chairman, will preside over a meeting of the Heads of Delegation on March 31 in Singapore.