Kota Kinabalu: The State Government is committed to ensure food security in the State by empowering four subsectors, namely crops; livestock; fisheries and aquaculture; and rubber commodities.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor said all parties including Sabah Economic Development and Investment Agency (Sedia) had been urged to restore the economy after the Covid-19 pandemic as there are many lessons to be taken seriously.
He said the State Government would also make sure there are medicine security and public health capacity in the State.
“Next year, the State Government will allocate a total of RM501.54 million to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and departments under it.
“RM69.2 million is to be allotted for operational purposes and to fund various assistance programs for farmers, fishermen and breeders,” said Hajiji, who is also Sedia Chairman, when officiating the Sedia Strategic Network with districts administrations at Menara Kinabalu.
The event was in conjunction with the 35th meeting of the Sedia and Local Authority to celebrate the District Administration as a sign of appreciation for the close cooperation that has been forged in implementing development in the State.
He also presented plaque of appreciation to the Mayor, district officers, and presidents of municipal council, among others.
Present were Deputy Chief Minister cum Industrial Development Minister Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam, State Secretary Datuk Seri Sr. Safar Untong, Mayor Datuk Noorliza Awang Alip, district officers and senior officials.
Hajiji said Sedia has a close and strong cooperative relationship with Federal and State Government agencies in implementing programmes and development projects that are capable of increasing the speed of economic activity, especially in rural areas.
“Therefore, let us come together in a progressive manner to keep moving forward, because everything we do is for the people and this state. We have seen how much can be achieved to improve the economy of the state of Sabah,” he said.
Sedia Chief Executive Officer Datuk Hashim Paijan said the event became a platform to further strengthen cooperation between Sedia and the agencies implementing initiatives under the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC), particularly with the District Administration which consists of Municipal Councils, District Offices and Sub-District Offices throughout Sabah.
He said Sedia’s close cooperation relationship with State Government agencies towards infrastructure development is able to rapidly increase and increase economic activity, especially in rural areas.
“Since 2020, Sedia has been given a mandate to channel funds for small “people-centric” projects with high impact. The identification of these projects has been done through suggestions and recommendations from the District Administration Office according to the priorities and public infrastructure needs of the respective districts.
“The SDC programme was launched on January 29, 2008 and is now implemented based on the SDC 2.0 Action Plan (2021-2030) themed “Sustainable Growth with Social Inclusivity and Equity” is a transformative plan formulated to stimulate economic growth.
“While ensuring inclusion and sustainability in improving the quality of life of the people, accelerate Sabah’s economic growth, encourage accelerate Sabah’s economic growth, promote regional balance, and bridge the gap between urban and rural areas, as well as to ensure sustainable management of the state’s resources,” Hashim said in a statement here.
He said the current institutional framework of the SDC is well structured with Sedia as a Federal Government agency, working under the State Government, and in close collaboration with State Agencies and local authorities.
He said the mandate entrusted to Sedia includes attracting infrastructure development, developing human capital resources as well as investment, implementing generating and accelerating economic development in the state of Sabah.
