KUCHING: The public-private collaboration is crucial in pushing the state agriculture sector into an export-oriented sector.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said that was why he pursued the idea of having anchor companies as a new module in the direction.
He said this at a meeting over lunch with senior management of eight companies here yesterday. The companies are engaged in durian, banana and pineapple processing for export.
Present were the Agriculture Modernisation, Native Land and Regional Development Ministry permanent secretary Datuk Ik Pahon and Agriculture Department director Dr Alvin Chai Lian Kuet and other senior staffs.
He said the companies, especially those very established ones, would have the advantages of, among others, processing plants which were internationally recognised for quality standard besides the very important markets.
Uggah, who is also the Agriculture Modernisation, Native Land and Regional Development Minister said these were vital to remain competitive and relevant.
“We are now facing stiff competition from countries like Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and others so our focus should be on our quality standard in particular,” he said.
“The government’s role is basically to facilitate and not to do business as it is not supposed to do so.
“We only come in to deal with any problem along the whole supply chain.
“We in the government must be practical. We can collaborate for mutual benefits,” he said.
Uggah said so far the state government was very happy with the roles played by anchor companies.
He said there were now a number of local companies which could become anchor companies.
He added the future of the state as a net exporter of food by 2030 depended on them.
“We must have the volume. That is why, in addition to the anchor companies, we are creating agriculture parks state-wide.
“We also have set up the venture capital, as an added measure, to help agropreneurs with the potential to grow bigger,” he said.
He said as of now the state government had allocated a sum of RM200million for this capital which was now open for bidding.
Uggah said the state potentials now were in food production, fishery and livestock.
