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Industrial sector to be diversified

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THE Sarawak government will continue to diversify the state’s industrial sector by deepening and strengthening the value chains in oil and gas, energy intensive, high-tech, food and shipbuilding alongside the traditional timber-based, oil palm-based and other manufacturing activities.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg added that a sum of RM140.3 million be provided under the 2021 State Budget for this purpose.

“The state government will also continue to develop industrial parks and business premises to attract both Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Domestic Direct Investment (DDI).

“In this regard, a sum of RM88.3 million will be provided to implement various projects including the expansion of Demak Laut Industrial Park, Samalaju SME Cluster, and the Industrial Estate in Sibu, Sematan, Betong, Sri Aman, Bau, Marudi, and Rantau Panjang, Sibu,” he said when tabling the Supply (2021) Bill, 2020 at the DUN sitting yesterday (Nov 9).

On entrepreneurship development, he told that currently, there were seven innovation hubs that provided mentorship, support, guidance and innovation-focused entrepreneurial programmes to Sarawakian start-ups and SMEs across the state.

“These facilities have benefited more than 50,000 entrepreneurs and innovators, from students to adults, and this initiative will require a sum of RM18.0 million,” he said.

Abang Johari added the government would also implement SME Digitalisation Packages to assist the local enterprises to become more competitive, while operating in the new normal and today’s challenging business environment.

“A total of RM10.0 million is proposed next year for the implementation of the programme that will benefit more than 1,000 entrepreneurs,” he said.

The chief minister added that apart from the entrepreneurship skill programme, the state also continued to construct new Anjung Usahawan in other parts of Sarawak including Telok Melano in Lundu, Gedong, Limbang and Lawas.

“Anjung Usahawan is a one-stop centre that serves as a platform for budding entrepreneurs to develop and thrive. Therefore, a sum of RM19.2 million will be provided next year for this purpose,” he said.

Abang Johari added RM50 million would be allocated under the 2021 Budget for the Sarawak Micro Credit Scheme while a total of RM19 million would be allocated for the Special Relief Fund (Interest Subsidy).

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