KOTA SAMARAHAN: Housing and Urban Development Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg is optimistic that sago can be a significant export commodity for the state.
DEVELOPING SAGO INDUSTRY: Johari (third left) with (from left) Dr Kopli, Dr Khairuddin and Dr Hatta after the launching ceremony.
“I believe that the income from export of sago can be increased through value added products, and in view of this the government welcomes inputs to assist in research and development (R&D) of the commodity,” he said yesterday.
Speaking when launching Centre of Excellence for Research in Sago Palm (CoESAR) at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) campus, here, Abang Johari noted that Sago had long been an important commodity to the state.
He stressed that sago industry can be developed to the level of oil palm, through concerted efforts by the government, intellec-tuals and researchers.
The minister was glad to note the commitment of Unimas, which had undertaken R&D on sago since 1993, adding that such effort by the university would complement the development of Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).
According to him, the state was committed in developing a sustainable sago industry as can be seen with the large scale planting of the commodity in Mukah since ten years ago.
He congratulated Unimas which had won accolades both at national and international levels.
Meanwhile, Unimas vice chancellor Prof Dr Khairuddin Abd Hamid said the state exported around 60,000 to 70,000 tonnes of sago annually with income of US$10 million.
He said developing sago industry was very important to help contribute towards the economy of the state.
Present at the function were also CoESAR director Prof Dr Kopli Bujang and Unimas director of board of directors Datu Dr Hatta Solhi.