Crucial for Sepanggar port to hit 500,000 containers per year target — Tangau
KOTA KINABALU: Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau stressed the importance of the Sepanggar Bay Container Port to reach the target of 500,000 container transactions at the port per annum.
He said that it was imperative for the State Government to achieve this goal if the Sepanggar Bay Container Port was to become a transshipment hub for the region.
He added that 250,000 containers were transacted annually at the port presently.
Tangau also announced that the Federal Government had approved an allocation of RM1.08 billion, which he hoped would be channelled to the Sepanggar Bay Container Port so that the needed facilities could be put in place and attract Main Line Operators (MLO) to carry out their operations at Sepanggar.
He hoped that this would allow the container port to increase its container transactions to 500,000 in the next two years.
At the same time, he also spoke of the Kudat port project, which he said should be delayed so that the entire allocation by the Federal Government could be used to improve the facilities at the Sepanggar Bay Container Port.
In his speech at his ministry's address ceremony, Tangau also said that Sabah's industry sector generated only 7.50 per cent to the State Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He stressed the importance of strengthening the industry sector as this was the sector that would provide ample job opportunities to the people of Sabah and provide economic opportunities to the people.
He reminded that Sabah is rich in resources, hence, efforts should be made to spur the downstream activities in the State.
He also said that raw materials such as timber would no longer be allowed for export and the State must use its limited resources for the greatest impacts and benefits.