KUCHING: The Ministry of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development will focus on assisting and guiding potential companies who intend to get Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certifications.
Its minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the effort is necessary so that more local companies will be able to export and penetrate foreign
markets.
“Before this, companies only produce products for local consumption according to the state’s standards. However, in China or other countries, they have their own standard food requirements which must be met before we can proceed to export to them.
“That is why the state government will be creating awareness programmes next year for all local entrepreneurs because we believe our local products have the potential (for export) but have yet to meet the international food standard requirements such as HACCP and GMP
certifications.”
Uggah said this to reporters after launching the export of ‘banaBee’ banana chips to Guangzhou, China at the Senari Port here, yesterday.
He added, “The government is coming up with various packages of support for keen entrepreneurs. Hence, with the state government collaborating with the private sector and government agencies, Sarawak will be able to penetrate more foreign markets.”
Uggah also urged all entrepreneurs to be productive and price-competitive in order to compete in the global market.
“At the end of the day, buyers will definitely look at the quality of the products first and secondly, the price,” he said.
On other products, Uggah revealed that Sarawak exported 100 tonnes of local durian paste to China last year and is expected to increase to 200 tonnes this year.
He also shared that a few weeks ago, he witnessed the export of local tilapia fish products to Singapore.
“It seems that it is already a good foundation for Sarawak as we plan on becoming a net food exporter by 2030,” he said.
Elaborating on the state’s comparative advantage, Uggah noted that the livestock in Sarawak is free from diseases such as the hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD).
“We banned all pork products — in whatever form — to be brought into Sarawak. This is due to the worldwide phenomenon affected by African Swine Flu (ASF) which has spread to the Philippines and some other Southeast Asian countries.
“Thus, we must make sure that our biosecurity is strengthened and I appeal to everyone to cooperate. If necessary, we can also do our own ‘dry pork’ in Kuching and there is no need to bring from Kuala Lumpur.
“Until the time comes, there will be a total ban. So if you bring any pork products at the airport, we will have to confiscate it,” he added.
