BETONG: The state government is in the process of setting up more Centres of Technical Excellence (Centex) in the state.
According to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg these centres would be in Lundu, Lawas and Dalat in addition to the ones in Kuching and Betong.
He said this at a press conference after officiating at the soft opening of Centex Betong here today.
He said such centres would equip the state with more trained technicians in various fields relevant to its development activities.
He said with Centex Betong, it will collaborate with Chinese telecommunication and digital technology giant Huawei to develop technologies to be used in smart agriculture.
“Betong which is in the Sadok Agropolitan areas has tremendous potentials in agriculture.
“By using digital technology, many farm operations can be monitored and operated.
“We can do sophisticated soil analysis to determine the best crops to plant there,” he said.
Abang Johari said although Huawei had issues with certain countries, the state was looking forward to sharing the many technologies it had developed.
Besides smart farming development, he said Centex Betong would also focus on developing local products and crafts to boost its tourism sector.
“We want to produce high quality products through computer designing or simulation,” he said.
He further added that Centex Betong would offer basic electrical engineering courses to help produce quality electricians.
Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan; Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian; Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi; Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah; Tourism, Art, Cultures, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah ;and State Secretary Tan Sri Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani were among those present.
