KUCHING: Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) hopes the new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it signed with Johor Economic Development Corporation (JCorp) will strengthen economic development in both states.
The two companies on Thursday signed an MoU to jointly explore business in the agricultural
sector.
According to SEDC chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar (Dr) Haji Abdul Aziz Husain, the agro-business, animal farming and food production industry are among the businesses that are expected to be explored jointly between SEDC and JCorp where the results can be shared together.
“As we know, Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia with a total land area of 124,541 square km with high potential for development in various fields including agro, mining, construction, engineering, petro-chemical industry, property development, tourism, education and others.
“In addition, about 32 percent of the state’s land resources have also been identified for large-scale agricultural activities where the state government has devised a number of strategic actions by 2030 which also ensures that Sarawak achieves its goal of becoming a major food exporter in the country,” he said after the MoU signing ceremony at the Grand Margherita Hotel here on Thursday.
SEDC general manager Abdul Hadi Abdul Kadir signed on behalf of SEDC, while JCorp was represented by its Development Division vice-president, Mohd Sahir Rahmat. It was witnessed by Abdul Aziz and JCorp president and chief executive Datuk Kamaruzzaman Abu Kasim.
Abdul Aziz added that SEDC had long been involved in the animal farming industry, including poultry, meat and egg which have been well received among customers especially the Bumiputeras in the state.
“Our cattle farm is based in Australia and SEDC owns several stations under the management of our subsidiary Rosewood Station Pte Ltd which has won several awards.
“Moreover, we have also found that the demand for processed poultry and meat products have been increased but the supply capacity is still less than the demand level.
“Therefore, SEDC aims to further expand this area through integrated chicken programme from which the outcome is expected to be more profitable,” he explained.
Commenting on projects that have been entrusted by the Sarawak government to them to be implemented, Abdul Aziz said one of the existing projects is the public transportation project using the hydrogen fuel bus which will be operational this April.
The project will involve several major routes around Kuching city and will benefit the local community as well as the tourists.
“Another big project to be accomplished by us is in the oil and gas sector, particularly in the construction of the proposed methanol plant located in
Bintulu.
“Apart from that, SEDC is also studying the development of health tourism in the future as we believe the health and wellness aspects have great potential to be developed as seen in other Asean countries.
“So far, many visitors from neighbouring countries such as West Kalimantan, Indonesia have sought quality medical care at our private hospitals including Normah Medical Specialist Centre which is also a subsidiary of SEDC,” added Abdul Aziz.
Apart from that, he explained that SEDC will also act as a pioneer and a catalyst to stimulate the state’s economic growth that can be changed through the digital economy transformation.
