Industrial sector to draw RM3.8 bln, create 2,183 jobs

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KOTA KINABALU: The Industrial Development Ministry is targeting RM3.883 billion investment with 2,183 jobs in the state by next year, said its minister Datuk Raymond Tan.

In Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) alone, a total of RM640 million potential investment with 1,200 jobs will be brought in, while Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC) in Lahad Datu is expected to attract about RM145 million investment with 385 jobs, Tan said in his winding-up speech at the State Assembly sitting yesterday.

“POIC Sandakan is expected to attract RM328 million investment with 298 jobs, while Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP) will attract RM2.5 billion worth of investment from the oil and gas sector with 300 jobs.

“The other manufacturing sectors in the state have the potential to attract about RM1.2 billion investment.

“I am confident about the target to be achieved because our developed and developing industrial parks have received recognition as among the best in Malaysia,” he said.

Tan said industrial parks in Sabah have been recognized as better in terms of cost and quality compared to the other Asian industrial parks, such as Rayong in Thailand, Central Java in Indonesia, Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam and Singapore.

He said that from January to September this year, 42 manufacturing projects worth a total of RM5.8 billion have been supported and approved, creating 2,268 jobs compared to 2,128 jobs in the same period last year.

From January to July this year, Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) reported that Sabah to successfully attract more investments from abroad, Tan said.

In the sub-sectors that command strong investor interest, the industry based on chemicals is the main attraction with RM4.6 billion worth of investment during the period.

Meanwhile, the food sub-sector attracted RM761.2 million, biomass RM196.6 million, crude palm oil RM128.2 million, transportation RM57.3 million, metal RM25.1 million, furniture RM11.6 million, plastic RM8.9 million, rubber RM2.5 million, textile RM2.3 million and others RM14.3 million.

In line with the State Government’s effort to encourage more domestic and international investment in Sabah, Tan said his ministry through the Department of Industrial Development and Research (DIDR) has organized the participation of Sabah manufacturers in state, national and international exhibitions in the first half of 2012.

He said DIDR will continue to take part in various expos and organizing investment seminars in the second half of this year.

“According to feedback we have received so far, investment potential which will be created from the investment seminar in Perth, Australia is valued at RM23 million.

“Three companies from Perth are showing interest in investing in POIC Lahad Datu, biomass and industrial activities.