SDC's Performance Encouraging, Says Juhar

KOTA KINABALU, June 17 (Bernama) -- The performance of the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC), now in its second phase (2011-2015), has been encouraging, with 11 high-impact projects with an approved state government investment of RM1.7 billion being implemented, says head of state Tun Juhar Mahiruddin.

Source from (Bernama): http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=956621
Published: Jun 19, 2013

Total investments for SDC projects at end-2012 stood at RM14.5 billion, and SDC will step up efforts to expand value-added activities through collaborations with global firms and local small and medium entreprises, he said when presenting the government's policy speech at the opening of the first term of the 14th State Legislative Assembly sitting at Likas near here Monday.

Juhar said the state government will enhance efforts to attract more private investment and provide better infrastructure and highly-skilled manpower to spur SDC's development.

The state's manufacturing sector targets investments worth RM5.44 billion for infrastructure projects, with a focus on industry clusters such as the Palm Oil Industry Cluster (POIC) in Lahad Datu and Sandakan, the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP) and the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP), he said.

Of the total, RM5.44 billion is expected to go to SOGIP, RM1 billion to KKIP, RM415 million to POIC Lahad Datu, RM328 million to POIC Sandakan and RM1.2 billion to manufacturing.

The oil and gas sector, the main contributor to the state's gross domestic product, is expected to expand further with new oil discoveries off Sabah's coast, he said.

Juhar said the state's good governance, financial management and integrity have given foreign and domestic investors the confidence to invest, pointing out that in 2012, Sabah was third among the states in attracting investments into the manufacturing sector after Selangor and Johor.

In 2012, the state produced 9.6 million litres of fresh milk worth RM60 million, while this year the figure is expected to rise to 11.0 million litres, mainly for the 1Malaysia Milk programme, he said, adding the government will also encourage the state's ruminant industry given the availability of biomass and Sabah's freedom from hoof and mouth disease.

Sabah's poverty rate declined to 8.1 per cent in 2012 from 19.7 per cent in 2009, he said, adding the state's Public Works Department has been allocated RM186.9 million to build roads in the main and smaller towns as well as upgrade those in the main sectors identified as drivers of the state's economy.

An allocation of RM164.9 milion has also been allocated for water supply, including for reducing non-revenue water, construction of new plants and water pipe replacement, while efforts to expand broadband penetration especially in rural areas will be enhanced, he added.

-- BERNAMA