KAPIT: Kapit plays an important role in powering the state through hydro
dam projects that will also produce electricity at competitive prices for
industries in Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).
Second Minister
of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan
highlighted this at the launching of the ‘Seminar on
Investment and Industries in Sarawak’ at the civic centre here yesterday.
Investment and Industries in Sarawak’ at the civic centre here yesterday.
“We need cheap
energy, Bakun Dam, Murum Dam are almost completed and there’s another potential
– the Baleh Dam. The economic spin-off offers huge opportunities to the
business community,” he added.
He also said the
industries in Samalaju Industrial Park, within SCORE area, were not just mega
projects but would be catalysts for small and medium industries (SMIs).
Acknowledging
that SMIs form the backbone of the country’s industries and play a significant
role in the country’s economy, he said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun
Razak had launched a master plan for SMIs to help entrepreneurs expand their
businesses and market their products locally and abroad.
Telling local
entrepreneurs to grab the opportunities, he told them that the programme was an
initiative by the Ministry of Industrial Development and several other
government agencies to share with the business community the facilities,
amenities and financial loans made available
Sharing the
local people’s happiness that Kapit was now connected to the state electricity
grid and had a new water treatment plant which was just completed, he told them
that the government would develop the second phase of Bletih Mini Industrial
Park at a cost of RM14 million as phase one of the park had all been taken up.
He concurred
with Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi that there was a need to set up a
skills training centre here to prepare youths for career opportunities in
SCORE. He said he would discuss the suggestion with Yayasan Sarawak and
instruct Land and Survey Department to identify a suitable piece of land for
it.
Assistant
Minister of Investment and Promotion Julaihi Narawi, Assistant Minister of
Industrial Estate Development Datuk Peter Nansian, Assistant Minister of Public
Utilities (Water Supply) Datuk Sylvester, Assistant Minister of Public Utilities
(Electricity and Telecommunications) Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi, Assistant Minister
of Culture and Heritage Liwan Lagang and Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Billy Abit Joo
were among those present.