SARAWAK INVESTMENT PROMOTION IN QATAR-PART 3 & FINAL PART

-SARAWAK OFFERS MANY ATTRACTIONS & ADVANTAGES SUCH COMPETITIVE PRICED LAND, LOW ELECTRIC & WATER TARIFF RATES, SUFFICIENT SKILLED MANPOWER & MANY MORE-

(CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS POST-SARAWAK INVESTMENT PROMOTION IN QATAR-PART 1 & PART 2)

“For Both Upstream and Downstream Halal Industries, investment opportunities in Tanjung Manis’ Halal Hub is very vast tract of land suitable for agriculture and aquaculture activities which offers opportunities for the development in the Halal industries both upstream and downstream activities.”

SCORE is not just for intended for heavy and energy intensive industries as with the For Halal products, the Government of Malaysia has empowered the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia to be the only body to manage Halal certification in Malaysia.

“This Halal certification went through a stringent process, aiming to give added assurance to both producers and consumers, following similar process in Sarawak through the State Islamic Religious Council.”

The Malaysian Government has also established the Halal Development Corporation to assist in the development and promotion of Halal Hubs and Parks and out of the thirteen Halal Hubs and Parks in operation in Malaysia, the Tanjung Manis Halal Hub in SCORE is certainly the largest.

Tanjung Manis is becoming an advanced Halal Hub because of its wide ranging competitive advantages and the Government of Sarawak has designated a gross area of 77,000 hectares to be the place where both upstream and downstream halal industries can thrive successfully.

“Entries of companies dealing with food production, pharmaceuticals, living essentials, life-sciences and biotechnology into Tanjung Manis who are willing to embark upon the production of Halal goods and services therefore, Tanjung Manis is a suitable place and good place to invest.”

Investor-friendly-Sarawak offers many attractions and advantages for investors such as from offering competitively-priced land, electricity tariffs, water rates as well as skilled manpower in addition to the attractive tax incentives provided by the Malaysian Government through the Malaysian Investment Development Authority or MIDA.

Furthermore, the Malaysian Government as well as the Sarawak Government always maintain strong commitment towards protecting and safeguarding foreign investments in the State there as conclusion, I would like to give assurance that the Sarawak Government will continue to work hand-in-hand with investors to facilitate their investments.

The companies that have decided to invest in SCORE are our partners in development and fully understanding the competitive advantages of setting up their operations in Sarawak, and it is my hopes that my delegates can relay the benefits of investing in SCORE to you over the duration of the Forum.

We will continue to encourage the entry of global investors into Sarawak and for that reason, always maintain an open-door policy to our shores for investors willing to participate in the development of Sarawak in the long term.

Heartily welcoming the investors to approach Sarawak’s delegates from Sarawak at our SCORE exhibition booths for any information and clarification with regards to the details on investment opportunities in Sarawak, Taib also said they will host a Sarawak-specific Forum during their stay at Doha.

Source: New Sarawak Tribune

-UnReportedNews™®

SARAWAK INVESTMENT PROMOTION IN QATAR-PART 2

-IN ADDITION OR TO ADD VALUE TO THE INVESTORS IN SARAWAK, THE STATE GOVERNMENT WILL OFFER A CHEAPER AND LOWER ELECTRICAL TARIFFS GENERATED FROM HYDROPOWER PLANTS ALL OVER SARAWAK-

Associations of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was its Secretary General His Excellency Dr. Surin Pitsuwan during his meeting with Chief Minister Pehin Seri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud in the presence of Datuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah Ali Hasan

(CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS POST-SARAWAK INVESTMENT PROMOTION IN QATAR-PART 1)

“A well-structured development plan that places renewable energy as the basis for further diversification of Sarawak’s industrial base and acceleration of our economic growth.”

Sarawak is fortunate of having a huge hydropower potential that can be developed to generate up to 20,000 megawatts of electricity by the year 2030; Coal energy adds a further 8,000 megawatts to the mix.

In another word, Sarawak is certainly the critical new frontier for the further growth of the Malaysian economy and undeniably, Sarawak has the geographical size and abundant natural resources to contribute to the sustainable growth of the Malaysian economy as the nation aspires to achieve a high-income and advanced economy by the year 2020.

The fundamental attractiveness of SCORE among global investors is our hydroelectric power potential and with the attraction afforded by hydroelectric power is that its cost of production is stable in the long run, and is green and renewable.

Sarawak offers the advantage of power supply that is very competitive, not only in terms of price but also more importantly in respect of our ability to build a steady growth of power supply to generate sufficient energy to meet the current and future demands from the off takers especially energy intensive industries through systematic development of more power generating facilities.

The opportunities in SCORE come from the opening up of new geographical areas through our greenfield development, the provision of key infrastructures and utilities, creating new industrial sites and encouraging new fields of study and training.

What makes SCORE unique is that it aims to bring Sarawak to new frontiers that would help provide more knowledge and skills to our workforce as needed by the industries, generate higher incomes and ultimately create more wealth and prosperity to our people.

SCORE also serves to spur creativity and innovation to develop Sarawak’s human capital and creating highly skilled and knowledgeable workforce, the utmost priority to technical education and training to ensure that we are able to widen our pool of highly-skilled workforce to sustain the growth trajectory for the future.

For the Public Sector Facilitates and Private Sector implements, Taib said that in order to push Sarawak up the economic value chain, the State has to be linked to the rest of the world in the global supply chain therefore, industries that are high in value-added and being at the forefront of technological innovation are welcomed and encouraged.

The presence of these world class industries will ultimately position Sarawak to compete well at the global level as the key to economic growth is the enabling roles of the public sector to facilitate sustainable private investment, and the key to high income is private investments with high productivity growth.

“Efforts are being made to transform the service delivery of the public sector in Sarawak to become world-class and high performing teams and this is done with the expressed intention of serving our customers, especially investors, in the most efficient and effective manner.”

“The magnitude of SCORE’s development plan is tremendous as we have estimated that the total investment for its complete fruition by the year 2030 is at 110 billion US dollars and the Government has pledged to contribute 20 per cent towards this cost, in terms of the fundamental enablers such as infrastructure and human capital development.”

Taib, again pointed out his objective and purpose coming to Doha to urge for the investing community, especially investors from GCC Countries, to bring in capital investment to contribute towards the remaining 80 per cent or approximately 88 billion US dollars.

“Currently, the value of total private investments approved in SCORE is very encouraging and on target at 9.5 billion US dollars; a considerable amount has been approved at Samalaju Industrial Park. Out of this, 700 million U.S. dollars have been approved at Tanjung Manis Halal Hub.”

Meanwhile, the Samalaju Industrial Park is being developed as the centre for heavy, capital and energy intensive industries such as metal-based (aluminium, manganese and steel), glass-based (polycrystalline silicon and metallic silicon), and oil-based (refinery chemicals and other liquids).

“The investment opportunities in Samalaju Industrial Park are significantly for heavy and energy intensive industries as these trigger projects have extensive industrial clusters and supporting industries.”

Upon completion, the Samalaju Industrial Park, with a designated area of 8,000 hectares, will be the biggest in Malaysia and being a pioneer project, the Sarawak Government has expedited the initiation of development for Samalaju Industrial Park.

This includes the provision of key infrastructure especially a dedicated port, utilities, telecommunications facilities and a modern new township and these facilities are designed and developed not only to meet the requirements of the investors but also to make sure that you have a comfortable stay in Sarawak.

Although preparatory works on the ground are in progress, Samalaju’s comparative advantages have already attracted big investors and currently we have approved 12 projects with total investment of 8.74 billion US Dollars and are expected to generate 12,912 jobs opportunities and of these investments, five have already taken off.

“The continued increase in population and consumption growth will lead to the increase demand for food globally however, our ability to produce food is adversely affected with stiff competition for utilisation of natural resources such as land, water, energy and more importantly due to climate change”

Sarawak are very fortunate as it is blessed with vast natural resources especially large tract of suitable land and supply of water, which are critical for the production of food and for this purpose we have designated many areas for food production in the State including the development of Tanjung Manis Halal Hub.  

Sarawak is in the position to contribute in addressing issues related to food security therefore, we would like to welcome investors in the development of our land for the production and supply of foods to meet the global demand. 

Source: New Sarawak Tribune

-UnReportedNews™®

SARAWAK INVESTMENT PROMOTION IN QATAR-PART I

-DELEGATIONS FROM SARAWAK LED BY CHIEF MINISTER PEHIN SERI HAJI ABDUL TAIB WHICH ALSO COMPROMISED OF STATE MINISTERS AND ASSISTANT MINISTER TRYING TO WOO POTENTIAL INVESTORS-

 Chief Minister Pehin Seri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud having a conversation with His Excellency the Prime Minister of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Al Thani at the premier’s official residence

DOHA: The political stability and peaceful atmosphere enjoyed by all, either locals or the otherwise in Sarawak is among the main aspects graciously highlighted by Chief Minister Pehin Seri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud in his keynote address during the prestige Inside Investor forum Asia 2012 with Qatar as its host for this year.

Describing Sarawak’s politics as “unity in diversity”, Taib cited that the Sarawak Government and its people had worked hard to establish, maintain and sustain this social balance which is an important ingredient for political stability and economic growth.

“We are fully aware that investors seek a business-friendly government, legal certainty, economic opportunities and especially political stability,” he said adding that Sarawak has enjoyed political stability since independence in 1963 and all of this had definitely happened not by coincidence.

His speech, entitled “Investment and Business Opportunities in SCORE” was addressed upon the audiences or would-be potential investors at the forum which was held at one of Doha’s finest; St Regis Hotel Doha located in the centre of Qatar’s capital city. (October 8th, 2012)

Taib was accompanied by his wife Puan Seri Ragad Kurdi-Taib, Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, Second Minister of Resource and Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Promotion of Technical Education) and Assistant Minister for Environment Datu Len Talif Salleh and Member of Parliament for Tanjung Manis and also Executive Chairman for Tanjung Manis Food and Industrial Park Sdn Bhd Datuk Hajah Norah Tun Abdul Rahman.

,

Taib, was in the present of His Excellency Sheikh Abdul Rahman Bin Khalifa Bin Abdul Azziz Al Thani who was representing His Excellency the Prime Minister of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Al Thani whom was accompanied by Board Member of Qatar Business Association His Excellency Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani.

Representing the Associations of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was its Secretary General His Excellency Dr. Surin Pitsuwan with Inside Investor was represented by Mr kmran saddique.

Earlier in his speech, Taib said that he was indeed very pleased and honoured of becoming one of the key speakers at the forum at Doha and expressed sincere appreciation and gratitude to Inside Investor for the invitation.

“I know that everyone concerned have put in a lot of hard work and dedication to ensure that this Forum will be a success,” he said and also thanked

the Government of Qatar.

Also mentioned in his salutation were the relevant Government agencies from Malaysia namely the Malaysian Embassy, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), as well as the Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) in helping to organise the forum.

“As result for the political stability in Sarawak, we have been able to systematically implement our development agenda to foster a strong economy opening opportunities aplenty to the economic growth.”

“We have been able to achieve a robust economic growth over the years and in comparison, Sarawak now ranks as the fourth largest economy among the states in Malaysia,” explained Taib adding the Sarawak Government is rated A (stable outlook) by Standard and Poor’s and A3 (stable outlook) by Moody’s Investors Services.

“We are committed to accelerate economic growth to benefit our people, particularly those in the rural areas of Sarawak and it remains a major developmental challenge considering the large size of the state with a relatively small population of 2.5 million but we continue to strive to bring a better life to the people.”

Sarawak will continue to find new ways to achieve higher rates of growth and open up the State for further development and implementation of SCORE is the key approach to achieve long-term socio-economic development Plan until the year 2030, he said.

The Chief Minister expressed his objective coming to Qatar is to introduce Sarawak, a State within Malaysia to the GCC countries and those who are present to the investment opportunities available in the State, especially under our Regional Economic Corridor or Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy, or affectionately known as SCORE.

"In the context of investment and business opportunities available in the two growth nodes within SCORE; Samalaju Industrial park and Tanjung Manis Halal Hub," he said adding Samalaju Industrial Park is designated as the centre for heavy and energy-intensive industries whereas the Tanjung Manis Halal Hub is being developed for Halal industries.

Believing that the Forum is a perfect avenue to disseminate information and provide real-time clarification on investment potentials in SCORE to prospective investors from GCC Countries, Taib said they also hoping to foster closer relationship and networking with all potential investors interested investing in SCORE specifically and in Sarawak in general.

Taib also assured that his delegates are at their service and would respond to any enquiries that on any potential investment during and after this forum.

"Sarawak literally has more than 1,000 years of trading experiences as it was recorded in the ancient history to be one of the trading points in South East Asia used by early intrepid Muslim Arabs in their trade and missionary quests."

"The Muslim Arabs understood the region’s geographical advantage, its wealth in natural resources and their legacy continues to this day hence, more investment inflows from GCC Countries into Sarawak will further strengthened investment ties between GCC Countries and Sarawak for our mutual benefits."

Sarawak dubbed the Land of The Hornbill, the largest state in Malaysia with a landmass of 124,450 square kilometres (approximately ten times that of Qatar) with a population of 2.5 million people, said Taib pointing out the State’s long coastline of 1,051 kilometres, abundant natural resources, an extensive river system and huge tracts of lands.

"The developments however, are controlled, well-conserved tropical rainforest, a diverse collection of tropical flora and fauna and one of the most extensive storage of biodiversity in the world," citied Taib adding that Sarawak preserves at least 80 per cent of all lands in Sarawak remain under forest cover.

"I can confidently say that this is far more than most countries throughout the world can do therefore, the Government pledges to prioritise a balanced environmental management in Sarawak’s pursuit for sustainable development into the future."

"SCORE covers 70,000 square kilometres in the Sarawak’s central region, blessed with an abundant supply of natural resources available are vast tract of land suitable for development and huge mineral reserves for industrial purposes," he said adding the among products could be produced are silica sand and kaolin clay.

"But more importantly the immense energy potential, especially hydropower and the SCORE’s core is the huge hydropower potential; the engine of growth to the future development of Sarawak."

Source: New Sarawak Tribune

-UnReportedNews™®