|
Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman (Centre) in his office at SEDIA, Wisma SEDIA.
Kota Kinabalu (Thurs.) - A total of more than four billion ringgit had been invested by the private sector under the Sabah Development Corridor to date. “In addition to that another RM20 billion is in the planning stage,” said the Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman in his opening remarks while chairing the fourth meeting of the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (SEDIA). The meeting was held at the SEDIA Board room, Wisma SEDIA, off Jalan Pintas Penampang here yesterday.
The Chief Minister was happy to note that projects under the SDC had been recognized and highlighted in the National Budget 2010. “These include the development of the Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC), Sandakan, and the Integrated Livestock Centre in Keningau. “Through SDC, the Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC) Sandakan will spur the development of the Bio-Triangle strategic development area which includes the Sandakan Education Hub and the Agropolitan project for Tongod and Beluran,” said the Chief Minister.
“As for the Keningau Integrated Livestock Centre, it will stimulate the development of the Interior Food Valley that covers the Kemabong Agropolitan and the Nabawan livestock industry development,” he said.
Musa said strategies stated in the National Budget 2010 had outlined the steps to stimulate the National Economy towards generating higher income, adopting holistic and sustainable development as well as improving the living standard and income of the people. “On top of that both the national and state budgets have put emphasized the role of the private sector in economic development particularly in terms of investment and capital mobilisation. “This is in line with the national and state objectives especially now as we prepare to implement the second phase of the SDC,” said the Chief Minister.
Musa stated that the success of the Borneo International Trade Fair 2009 (BITF2009) which was held recently and organized by the Sabah Bumiputera Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with Sabah United Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and the Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry has highlighted that investors and the business community in general are upbeat on Sabah investment environment with the launching of the SDC.
Musa said the BITF2009 had for the first time showcased projects under the SDC in the SDC pavilion. He said the fair had managed to attract close to 60,000 visitors. “This indeed is very encouraging even though the world at this time is still facing economic challenges brought about by the threat of the H1N1 and others,” Musa said.
Musa expressed his gratitude towards the concern of the Prime Minister on Sabah development needs as indicated in the 2010 National
Budget. “Indeed, this shows the commitment of the Prime Minister on the 1Malaysia Concept, particularly on people first, performance now.
Musa said he welcomes all the efforts put forward especially in developing new sources of growth, particularly the green industry, creative industry and industry based on niche areas such as the health tourism, ICT and Halal Industry.
In addition the Chief Minister stated that he is in full support of the government initiatives to implement the incubator program to train youth and graduates to become agroprenuers. He said the program will be implemented in collaboration with various agencies including in the Corridor Development Regions. “This initiative is in line with the government efforts to develop high value agriculture industry, including the halal industry, agro-biotechnology and Specialty Natural Product in the Sabah Agro-Industrial Precinct as well as the SME Agro-Food Zone in the Brunei Bay Development area under the SDC initiatives,” said Musa.
“Indeed this area has the capability to attract investments from Brunei, Sarawak as well as from the Federal Territory of Labuan,” he said.
Musa stated that in line with the 2010 National Budget, the State Budget 2010 is also taking into accounts the strategic thrusts as outlined under the National budget.
“In our pursue to ensure Sabah achieves a develop status by 2015, the state has emphasized on meeting the key prerequisites which include the development of highly skilled and competent human resource, with science and technology know how and high integrity ,” said Musa.
In view of this recognition, the state government has been helping to finance the development of the Sabah Educational Hub in Sandakan. “It is our hope to see that more Sabahan get access to quality education and technical training, very much needed in the new economic model.
During the meeting representatives from Petronas had updated the meeting on the development of the Oil and Gas industry in Sabah. This includes the development of the gas-fired power generation in Sabah as well as the Sabah Oil and Gas Terminal (SOGT) project.
The meeting was chaired by the Chief Minister who is the Chairman of the SEDIA Board of Directors. Other members at the meeting include Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Wan Abdullah Aziz b. Wan Abdullah, the Secretary General of the Federal Treasury, Datuk Dr. Ali bin Hamzah, Director General, Public and Private Partnership Unit, Datuk Sukarti Wakiman the State Secretary, Datuk Haji Yusof Bin Haji Mohd. Kassim, the Permanent Secretary, State Finance Ministry, Datuk Ismail Abdullah Director, State Economic Planning Unit and Datuk Dr. Mohd. Yaakub Haji Johari ,SEDIA Chief Executive. |
