BETONG: Sarawak has made substantial progress under Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s leadership, with development initiatives advancing well beyond federal-level goals.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Patinggi Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said one key example is the integration of new technology into the state’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) ecosystem, a step forward in skills development and workforce training.
“In this regard, the federal government, through HRD Corp (Human Resource Development Corporation), has contributed to seven CENTEXS (Centre of Technical Excellence Sarawak) in Sarawak, which are TVET centres for conducting training and new educational systems within high-level TVET.
“The National TVET Council is also learning from these initiatives to supplement and complement what is done by both the federal and state governments,” he said.
He said this to reporters after attending a ‘Leaders Meet the People’ event at Rumah Panjang Enteri Anak Lengkoi Samu in Ulu Paku, Spaoh Betong, today (Nov 2).
Zahid also said that Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) has launched the Gate to Global programme, aimed at marketing products developed through the Integrated Village Economic Development Project (PROSPEK).
He said his initiative seeks to provide techno-entrepreneurial support via MARA.
“We do not operate in isolation or with a silo mentality but collaborate with various ministries and departments, particularly those under KKDW (Ministry of Rural and Regional Development), to facilitate exports of products such as ginger,” he said.
According to Zahid, while there is a negotiation for 10 containers of ginger per month for overseas markets, current national production capabilities are limited to 1-2 containers.
“This is insufficient as there is high demand from multinational corporations abroad, especially for raw materials used in cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. This means there is still significant potential,” he said.
