RM334 bln investments through SCORE
KUCHING: Sarawak is expected to generate RM334 billion in investments, of which RM267 billion or 80 per cent is expected from the private sector and the remaining RM67 billion will come from the public sector through the SCORE Development Plan.
And when the SCORE Development Plan is fully realised by 2030, it is also expected to create 1.6 million new job opportunities, especially for young Sarawakians.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg revealed this at the 10th anniversary dinner of Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) that was held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Saturday.
He said since the inception of SCORE in 2008, Sarawak has recorded an average economic growth of 3.2 per cent.
He also said the state’s nominal Gross Domestic Product ( GDP) in 2008 was RM86.9 billion and is forecast to be RM145.2 billion this year.
“Our nominal GDP per capita in 2008 stood at RM36,075 and is RM51,925 in 2018. SCORE has contributed significantly to the economic performance of the state, especially through its public and private investments,” said Abang Johari, who is also chairman of SCORE.
The Chief Minister also said to expand SCORE area into the interior and rural parts of the state, the Sarawak government had established three development agencies under the Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda).
The agencies are the Upper Rajang Development Agency ( Urda) and the Highland Development Agency ( HDA) that were both established on July 12, 2017 and the Northern Region Development Agency ( NRDA) that was established on March 15, 2018.
“This is in tandem with the state development agenda to
Our nominal GDP per capita in 2008 stood at RM36,075 and is RM51,925 in 2018. SCORE has contributed significantly to the economic performance of the state, especially through its public and private investments.
accelerate the development of physical infrastructure and amenities in these areas in order to modernise the rural economy,” he said, adding that with this move the SCORE area had been expanded from about 70,000 square kilometres to about 100,000 square kilometres, covering about two thirds of Sarawak.
With the establishment of the Development Bank of Sarawak ( DBoS), the state government is now able to provide funding of RM4.5 billion to Recoda for the development projects under Urda, HDA and NRDA, he added.
On that note, he said the state government would continue to support the development of SCORE as it has proven to be effective in propelling Sarawak to be an industrialised state.
To date, he said SCORE has recorded over RM79.971 billion in both public and private investments.
“Out of this, RM33.64 billion or 42 per cent comes from private investment. The total amount of private investment realised thus far is RM22.53 billion, generated from nine projects that are already in operation,” he added, saying seven of these projects are in Samalaju Industrial Park and one each in Mukah and Tanjung Manis.
Abang Johari also revealed that seven of the investors in Samalaju Industrial Park had contributed significantly to the local economy by generating spill- over of about RM500 million per month.
Also present at the celebration was the Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, who was given tributes for his outstanding contributions to SCORE when he was the chief minister of Sarawak.
Also speaking was Recoda chief executive officer Datu Ismawi Ismuni who shared the history and the progress of SCORE.
He also expressed his gratitude to Taib for his support, encouragement and contribution to the success of SCORE.
With substantial funding from the state government to implement basic infrastructure and amenities projects as well as socio- economic programmes, he expects Recoda within the next two to three years to position itself well to attract more investors.
He further revealed that Recoda is undergoing a restructuring exercise and will recruit more qualified people to join the organisation in the near future.
The restructuring, he added, is timely due to the workload and challenges which they are facing through the setting up of the three agencies.
He also said they will continue to exercise their duties in a professional manner to facilitate and attract investments in SCORE, not only in Samalaju Industrial Park but also in Tanjung Manis Halal Hub, Mukah Science Park, Matadeng Industrial Park and all other areas designated under the three development agencies.
He also mentioned that their 10th anniversary celebration started with a Big Bike ride on Oct 27 and a golf tournament on Nov 3.
Others present at the celebration were Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Minister of International Trade and E- Commerce Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Sarawak Biodiversity Council chairman Datuk Amar Wilson Baya Dandot and State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Morshidi Abdul Ghani.
Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, Chief Minister