Bio-economy
Musa: Sabah is progressing well towards bio-economy
By Elaine Mah
Pictures by Victor Lo
Sabah's development towards bio-economy has gained considerable momentum on the back of the Sabah Development Corridor, according to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman.
In his speech read by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin at the launching of the Bio-Borneo 2013 Conference, Musa told the gathering that the bio-technological initiatives under the SDC came within the ambit of the Sabah Agro-Industrial Precinct (SAIP), the Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC), the Keningau Integrated Livestock Centre (KILC), and the Marine Industry Integrated Cluster.
Consistent wiith SDC's emphasis on bringing development to all parts of the state including the interior regions, he said the KILC will generate RM763 million in investments in the livestock industry in the Keningau, Sook and Nabawan districts.
According to Musa, the SDC, which is now in its second phase of development, has already charted notable achievements. He disclosed that since its launch in 2008 until the end of 2012, Sabah has received a total of RM114 billion in committed investments.
Attributing the success to Sabah’s rich natural resources, its strategic geographical location, and its encouraging investment climate, the Chief Minister told the Conference that the stage was set for the biotechnology industry to play a major role in the state's economy.
In the broader national context, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Maximus Ongkili told the gathering that Malaysia is currently in the second phase of its implementation of the National Biotechnology Policy (DBN) where the emphasis is to make biotechnology a new engine to drive economic growth through the commercialisation of biotechnological products.
Under the Biotechnology Transformation Programme (BTP), a programme launched by the Prime Minister in October last year, the government aims to generate a revenue of RM3.6 billion, attract investments up to RM10 billion, and create 16,300 highly skilled jobs through the implementation of 20 identified trigger projects.
This will put Malaysia in the global biotechnology market, which is estimated to be worth RM971 billion by 2015, Dr. Ongkili said.
He said the programme that will bring the many bio-economy initiatives to bear on Sabah's rich natural resources would greatly impact the state's economy and bring much benefit to the people.
He told the conference that in Sabah alone, there are three Entry Point Projects (EPP) involving biotechnology that process bio-based farm input, high value local bio ingredients, and other high value food varieties. These projects are estimated to contribute approximately RM1.18 billion to the Gross National Income as well as attract investments of about RM2.95 billion by 2020.
The Minister expressed confidence that the EPPs under the SDC will merge well with the implementation of the BTP in Sabah and will become important contributors to the bio-economy in the country.
Dr. Ongkili also praised the Bio-Borneo Conference, saying that the event is a suitable platform to discuss the development of the Biotechnology Industry in Sabah.
Organised by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and the Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation (BiotechCorp), in collaboration with the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (SEDIA), two-day conference and exhibition attracted more than 200 participants. - Insight Sabah
Posted on February 19, 2013
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musa aman, bio-economy, sabah development corridor, yahya hussin, maximus ongkili
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I hope all elected representatives will make full use of the State Assembly sitting as the best platform to not only participate actively in debates, but also more importantly, every word said represent the voice of the grassroots
Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman speaking at the State dinner in conjunction with the opening of the State Assembly sitting in Likas.
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We strive to empower all members of society, including women to ensure they reach their fullest potential and play a greater role in driving Sabah's future development
Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman, said in his address at the swearing-in ceremony for members of the Sabah Women Advisory Council (MPWS) held at his official residence in Seri Gaya yesterday.
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If we wish to become a more developed and more inclusive society, employee welfare must be prioritised. I ask all employers to commit to pay their workers a living wage.
Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, said in his keynote address at the Invest Malaysia 2013 in Kuala Lumpur, yesterday. Malaysia had introduced the Minimum Wage Policy in July last year, and employers were given until early this year to begin complying with the new regulation.
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A clearer understanding of the objective behind initiatives such as the giving out of communal grants is important so that the people will not be confused and misled into thinking that the government of the day was not assisting them in land matters.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman said during a courtesy call by the committee members of Sabah Native Land Owners Association (SANLODA) at the Sabah State Legislative building, yesterday.
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Before we move further ahead in developing the Oil and Gas industry in Sabah, it is important that we gain better knowledge of and a full understanding on the approach taken by the nation as a whole in this sector of the economy
Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Industrial Development Datuk Raymond Tan said at the 17th Asia Oil and Gas Conference in Kuala Lumpur. Tan led the delegation from Sabah to the Conference.