‘Tanjung Manis Halal Hub has Great Business Potential’, Says Malaysian Industry Professional

KUCHING: The Tanjung Manis Halal Hub (TMHH) has great business potential for upstream, downstream, and midstream industries.

Sharifah Mature Wan Razali the principal assistant secretary of Industry, Trade and Investment Promotion Division of the Ministry of Industrial and Entrepreneur Development, Trade and Investment (MIETI) said the hub could penetrate not just the domestic market but also China, Indonesia, Middle East, and Southeast Asian markets.

“There is high demand in the halal market and so the state government has developed TMHH covering more than 77,000ha of agriculture land to develop and produce halal food and produce,” she said as one of the speakers at the Guo Clan Economic Forum here yesterday.

The half-day forum, organized by Sarawak Hong Yong Kueh Clansman Association, saw delegates from Taiwan, China, Singapore, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Peninsular Malaysia.

Sharifah Masture said Sarawak was the only state in Malaysia offering lower water and electricity tariffs for investors and industries. The Bakun HEP dam came with an installed capacity of 2,400 megawatts while the Murum HEP dam had an installed capacity of 944 megawatts, she added.

She said Sarawak was the third preferred investment destination in Malaysia after Selangor and Johor. Among reasons investors chose Sarawak were political stability and the incentives offered, she added.

She said the state’s major industries included timber and timber-based, oil and gas, energy incentive, shipbuilding, palm oil, and eco-tourism.

Samalaju Industrial Park was one of the energy-incentive industry players in the state, said Sharifah Mature, adding there were currently six corporations including Tokuyama Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Pertama Ferroalloys Sdn Bhd, and Press Metal Bintulu Sdn Bhd operating there.

She added there were 39 shipyards in Sarawak while the shipping industry had created at least 23,000 jobs over the years.

On eco-tourism, Sharifah Masture said Sarawak ‘is a paradise for relaxation as the state had culture, adventure, and nature to offer.

“Sarawak is a beautiful place for investment and tourism,” she said, advising individuals who needed more information to call 082-313 212 or visit www.mieti.sarawak.gov.my.Also delivering talks at the forum were Muar Fen Yang Association chairman Ker Soon Yong and Batu Pahat Tong Ann Kerk Association chairman Kerk Beng Huat.

Originally published on www.theborneopost.com