SIBU: The Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA) will benchmark its socio-economic development plans against international best practices and ensure they will be aligned with the Post- COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, 12th Malaysia Plan and United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
RECODA chief executive officer Datuk Ismawi Ismuni said this would ensure that the plans are not only equitable but also sustainable, both socially and environmentally.
He said this at the closing of the Upper Rajang Development Agency (URDA) socio-economic lab held here yesterday.
The two-and-a-half-day lab is the final part of a series of socio-economic labs that kicked off in Miri by the Highland Development Agency (HDA) on Mar 3 and followed by the Northern Regional Development Agency (NRDA) in Lawas on Mar 22.
Participants of the lab included elected representatives, government officers and community leaders who deliberated on the needs and expectations of local communities, as well as proposed programmes, projects, mechanisms and suitable business models for a comprehensive Socio-Economic Development Plan (2022-2026). Each regional development agency under RECODA will have its own socio-economic development plan for the next five years.
“During this lab, I am happy to note that all the participants were enthusiastic and shared their wisdom and knowledge as well as expertise on the best approaches to implement socio-economic programmes to uplift the livelihood of the people.
“The ultimate goal of our SEDP is of course to improve the welfare and livelihoods of the local communities in all our development areas,” he said.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, who is also URDA chairman officiated at the lab’s closing ceremony. RECODA is a statutory body set up in 2006 to oversee and manage SCORE.
In addition to drawing investments and creating job opportunities for Sarawakians, RECODA is also entrusted by the Sarawak government since 2017 to implement development projects in the regions overseen by its three development agencies with funds totalling RM4.5 billion.
