TAWAU: The Industrial Development Ministry will study the industrial potential in each district in Sabah to be further developed and become more effective and efficient.Its Minister Phoong Jin Zhe said he has instructed his Ministry’s staff to look at the existing potential in each district, including Tawau, to make it easier for him to provide development assistance as needed.
He said Tawau Port, for example, needed sustainable logistics in the face of international competition, considering it is close to Kalimantan, Indonesia.
“Sabah Port Sdn Bhd informed that trade activities are very active in Tawau and I think the potential is quite large when looking at its advantage of bordering neighbouring countries.
“There are several things that can be done, for example maybe creating a place for transhipment of containers and so on... I leave that to the port to do a comprehensive study,” he told reporters after officiating the Chinese New Year 2023 celebrations organised by the DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) Tawau at Wisma Fuji Open Square, here, Wednesday.
Phoong said before planning an industry, there is a need to emphasise on the sustainable aspects of logistics to ensure the port is effective and efficient and be on par with international standards.
On his visit to Tawau, he said it was his first as a Cabinet member and will meet with leaders, industries and business activists in the district to get input that would enable his Ministry to provide the help necessary.
On the event, Phoong was happy that every class of society regardless of race, religion and colour came together to enliven the Chinese New Year celebrated by the Tiong Hua community.
He said the Government also allocated a large amount of funds for celebration of festivities, including other celebrations such as the Kaamatan, Christmas, Hari Raya and so on.
“The handing over of the lion’s head alone involves an allocation of RM1.5 million for the whole of Sabah, while for large-scale or small-scale celebration programmes, the government allocates around RM1 million,” he said.
