SCCCI wants to embark on crop production

SIBU: The Sibu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( SCCCI) wants to request a piece of land from the Sarawak government for local agriculture entrepreneurs to plant crops for export.

SCCCI president Dr Hii Sui Cheng said the chamber would soon forward a project proposal to Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

He believed that such project could help boost Sibu’s economy, besides inviting foreign investments into Sarawak.

Hii disclosed this when contacted on Saturday pertaining to the chamber’s recent agriculture committee meeting.

“During the meeting, we discussed the importance of agriculture to the central region, suitable crops for cultivation and a decision to approach our minister in- charge, YB Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah ( also Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development) for suitable land.

“Ideally, we have proposed (for a piece of land) to be between Sibu and Tanjung Manis Halal Hub,” said Hii.

Asked on the potential crops, he named coconut and corn among the ones with potential for the large export market and local consumption.

“These should help Sibu’s economy as well as earning foreign investments for the state.

“We prefer the land to be managed by a consortium set up by SCCCI and others, but (we) will listen to the advice from the government,” Hii pointed out.