ASB looking at turning Labuan into Halal hub
Published on: Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Labuan: Asian Supply Base (ASB) is looking for alternatives to support Labuan like they have done the past 40 years being the major contributor to the island's economy and is now looking at developing it into a halal hub."We already have most of it - the transhipment, the warehouse and the port. We have the logistics to support Labuan as a halal hub but we need to be certified by the halal supply chain management," said its CEO Datuk Harris Annuar Tan.
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"We already have a halal port in the Kiamsam area, but it is only 20 acres and the size may pose a problem to investors. However, we can convince investors that it is enough. If any developments need to be done, it is possible because there are many empty warehouses in Labuan," he told a press conference.Also present was Labuan MP Datuk Rozman Isli, who is also part of the company's board. Rozman said ASB has taken advantage of Labuan's strategic location and made the island into a logistics hub."They have turned a potential into reality. Therefore, I believe that they will continue to do just that in the future.
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So the halal hub development is a huge possibility and a great opportunity," said Rozman.He also said ASB is an asset to the island that should not be wasted and only limited to oil and gas.
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ASB is looking away from the oil and gas industry for other alternatives in the port business to sustain the workforce.ASB has the biggest workforce in Labuan supporting over 1000 staff. Some 97 more companies are affiliated with ASB and thus having an accumulated 4,000 to 5,000 staff.Even with such a high figure, ASB, being a state government company, has never retrenched anyone. In fact, ASB is employing more people during this period of oil and gas turbulence."Rozman advised me not to retrench anyone. This is the time to help the locals and the economy," said Harris. "Therefore, we need to find other means to support our workforce. I'm thankful for our very supportive board being involved in our planning for new business ventures," he said.ASB is traditionally a logistics support for oil and gas activities but now with the industry's downfall, ASB does not want to be limited to only oil and gas. "We started reaching out to Europe, China, US and Australia by extending our invitation to them to come and take a look at what Labuan has to offer in the port business," said Harris.The CEO also met with technology partners from London willing to team up with ASB and their subsidiaries to look into bringing their industry into the island.The ASB infrastructure has been developed for over 35 years. It is more than just an oil and gas port, it is an open entity."We used to have 20 to 30 vessels coming in to our port per day, but now we only have five to six. So to make full use of our facility, we have decided to open it to the possibility of other ventures. This is also a great opportunity for us," said Harris.Although ASB will be working on the halal hub, it will be segregated from their oil and gas activities. The island is the centre of Asia Pacific and can easily establish itself as a distribution centre especially in South East Asia.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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