KUCHING: The unique “gula apong” will represent Sarawak as the state’s signature product. Federal Marketing Argicultural Authority (Fama) chairman Ishak Ismail said they will adopt the sugar as a signature product for Sarawak.
“We want to collect at least 14 signature products in Malaysia and we will launch these products as Malaysia’s signature products in the middle of the year at national level,” he said during a press conference at Medan Niaga Satok here, yesterday.
He said he was proud of the making of gula apong as an alternative to “gula melaka” that has its own uniqueness as well as being good for one’s health.
“Gula apong will be promoted not only in Sarawak, but also in Peninsular Malaysia and on an international level too.
“We have identified a few areas in Europe, Asia and also the Middle East to market these products,” he said.
He also said that Fama has already discussed with the businessmen and representatives of the Turkish government for their cooperation in marketing the product, as they hoped to use Turkey as a gateway to the European market.
“We hope this gula apong industry can be expanded and we need to focus to ensure continuous supply as well, as there are young entrepreneurs trained in this industry,” he said.
Ishak pointed out that gula apong could also be a product that can attract tourists coming to the state.
“It can be a form of agro-tourism for Sarawak where tourists coming here can be introduced to what it is and how it can be made from the sap of the nipah palm tree,” he added.
Also speaking was Beting Maro assemblyman Razaili Gapor who said that besides the existing nipah area of about 50 hectares in Kampung Tambak, a Taman Nipah area will be opened in the village.
“With the opening of 10 hectares of Taman Nipah this year with a state government allocation of RM2 million, it will not only increase the production of nira resources for the production of gula apong, but will also be an attractive agro-tourism product in Pusa,” he said.
