News From : DagangHalal.com (19 Aug 2009)
KUCHING, Aug 18 (Bernama) — The Tanjung Manis Halal hub in Mukah is expected to generate RM5 billion in revenue annually from food products and services in the next five to 10 years.
Sarawak Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, said the halal-based upstream and downstream food industries would be given a boost when a research and development centre is set up at the 18,800-hectare site by year-end.
“The Tanjung Manis integrated fishing port will play a vital role in the development of the hub, which is under the Sarawak Renewable Corridor of Renewable Energy,” he said when opening an investment and trade dialogue-cum-manufacturing and services sector seminar here.
Apart from the setting up of a halal food processing estate, aquaculture, biotechnology and livestock projects are expected to be implemented at the hub.
Former Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, launched the hub in February this year.
Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister and Industrial Development Minister, Tan Sri Dr George Chan, said the state government was seeking RM461 million in federal funding for the development of more industrial estates to meet demand of the small medium enterprises (SMEs) and the relocation of existing workshops and factories in the major towns up to 2015.
He said the government needed to continuously provide more infrstructures to ensure growth of SMEs as feedback received by his ministry revealed that there were more than 200 illegal workshops and factories opening in Kuching, Sibu and Miri.
“Special assistance from the federal government is urgently needed due to the state’s limited financial capacity and high cost of providing infrastructure development given the geographical factors.
“Our local SMEs and small medium industries (SMIs) need the provision of more competively-priced industrial land and ready-built factories with proper infrastructure and supporting facilities to offset against the higher cost of doing business in Sarawak as compared to Peninsular Malaysia.
“The inland transportation costs, handling charges and shipping freight costs also needed to be taken into consideration,” he said.
— BERNAMA