KUCHING: The state government is conducting a study to build a new deep sea port at Tanjung Embang to serve the southern region of Sarawak.
The memorandum of understanding (MOU) for this proposed development between Antwerp-Bruges Port and Hubline Berhad was signed in the presence of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg three days ago (July 26).
The Antwerp-Bruges Port is the second largest international container port in Europe and the 14th in the world while Hubline is a local company involved in bulk shipping logistics services.
In his speech during the agreement’s signing, Abang Johari expressed confidence that the application of the latest innovations in port management and services will offer this port an advantage as a cost-effective, efficient port.
“If everything (innovation and technology) is already there, the investors already have confidence, I’m sure this port will have the advantage to thrive,” he said.
He stated that at the beginning of July, he had been in Singapore to attend a briefing by the consultant on the socio-economic impact of the project involving an area of 109 square/km.
Abang Johari added that the entire Tg Embang will be developed by the ASSAR Group, an investment holding company wholly owned by the Sarawak government.
Director of the Sarawak Economic Planning Unit (EPU), Datuk Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel said that the port with the concept of integration with industrial development is one of the two deep sea ports that will be developed under the Post-Covid-19 Strategic Plan (PCDS 2030).
“Another port will be developed in the northern area of Sarawak as part of a program to restore and catalyze Sarawak’s economic growth post-Covid-19,” he said.
The Premier and his entourage were briefed on the development and operation of the port by the port official upon their arrival at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
Abang Johari then paid an honorary visit to the Minister-President of Flanders for the Flemish Region, Jan Jambon.
Also present were the Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, Datuk Majang Renggi and the Malaysian Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg, Datuk Ahmad Rozian Abd Ghani.
Earlier, Abang Johari also witnessed a MoU between the Sarawak government and Melexis Technology to pioneer collaboration in the development of integrated micro-chip designs for chips produced in Sarawak.
