ONE FOR THE ALBUM: Awang Tengah (front, sixth left) with some of the delegates of the Sarawak Investment and Timber Selling Mission to India before boarding their flight at KIA’s VIP lounge.
KUCHING: The timber industry here can expect to have a stronger grip on the state’s economic sector following the Investment and Timber Selling Mission to new global economic powerhouse India.
Second Minister for Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan yesterday led a delegation of 70 members consisting of state dignitaries and major players in the timber and other industries here on a week-long trip to Chennai and Mumbai.
The trip which will last till March 18 will see Awang Tengah, who is also Industrial Development Minister, witnessing the signing of memorandums of understanding (MoU) between Sarawak Timber Association (STA) and Chennai Timber and Plywood Merchants Association on March 12; and between STA and Timber Importers Association India Ltd in Mumbai on March 15.
The signing of the two MoUs is seen as a move that would strengthen relations between both governments through the already thriving timber sector.
“India has become the main timber importer of Sarawak where its volume has already overtaken the likes of countries such as Japan and Korea which used to be the state’s traditional importers of timber and crops.
“Our trip, apart from strengthening ties between India and Malaysia (Sarawak most particularly), would also present the opportunity to promote other industries here such as investment and economic opportunities in SCORE (Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy), the Halal Hub, food industry, palm oil and even the tourism sector through ecotourism.
“The state is trying to attract and establish various collaborations,” Awang Tengah told a press conference at the Kuching International Airport VIP lounge before taking off for the trip organised by Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC).
He stressed that the trip, which was the second of its kind, would increase business relations and investment opportunities between Sarawak and India.
The delegation will have a meeting with officials of the Malaysian Consul General, Consulate General of South India and heads of Malaysian agencies in Chennai before attending the Sarawak Investment and Timber Selling Seminar at the Taj Coromomandel Hotel.
Several papers will be presented at the seminar, including ‘Investment Opportunities and Incentives in Sarawak’ by permanent secretary of the Ministry of Industrial Development Datu Liaw Soon Eng, ‘Investment Opportunities in SCORE’ by State Planning Unit deputy director Frederick John George.
Awang Tengah will also attend a meeting with Srinivasa Ferro Alloys Ltd. in Chennai. The following day, the delegation will visit Ruchi Palm Oil Refinery Plant at the Tiruvallur District and wood-based mills.
In Mumbai on March 15, he will meet officials of the Consul General and head of Malaysian agencies such as Mida, Matrade, tourism and immigration in Mumbai before delivering a keynote address at a one-day seminar at the Taj Lands End Hotel.
The entourage includes Assistant Minister for Infrastructure Development Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman, Assistant Resource Planning Minister Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais and Assistant Minister for Industrial Estate Development Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie.
Others are Assistant Minister for Environment and Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Promotion of Technical Education) Datu Len Talif Salleh and Assistant Minister for Investment and Promotion Julaihi Narawi, senior government officers and local businessmen.