SARAWAK will be able to tap the global biotechnology economy with the establishment of the Sarawak Bioindustrial Park (SBP), where the market size is expected to surpass around USD1,684 billion by 2030.
Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn said Sarawak’s wealth of biodiversity provided Sarawak with unrealised potential for development of bioeconomy – from the jungle to high value products in the market.
“While there are existing bioindustrial parks globally, SBP’s unique value proposition is being able to leverage on Sarawak’s rainforests, along with high-tech investment opportunities for biotech companies.
“Hence, the focus of the park will be on bio-based industries such as bioactives, biohealth, biomaterials, bioenergy and bioenvironmental,” he said in his ministerial winding-up speech today.
With the establishment of SBP going forth, he said its implementation had started with its first phase following the recommendations of a masterplan study.
“In the first phase, 26 acres out of the 100 acres allocated within the greater Samarahan industrial area will be developed.
“The topography survey of the site is expected to complete this month, and earthworks are expected to begin in July 2022, followed by construction works in quarter four of 2022,” he added.
Simultaneous to the building works, Sagah noted that the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre would work to secure investment from five tenants.
“In the first phase, a central hub facility will be established to collaborate with technology partners to assist the investors in the park.
“The SBP is expected to be completed by 2035 with the benefits to grow and elevate Sarawak’s economy, create new job opportunities, and raise household income,” he said.
Meanwhile, touching on the Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC), he said since its approval in Feb 2021, a 40-acre land was allocated for it next to the Sarawak Heart Centre, along the Kota Samarahan Expressway.
“In terms of physical progress, soil investigation work was completed in January 2022. At the moment, the design and planning of its master planning stage is ongoing and is expected to complete by September 2022.
“Whereas, the earthwork is scheduled to start within this month, and construction is expected to kick off at the beginning of 2023,” he said.
