‘Economies of scale achievable with strategic tie-up in processing, marketing industry’
The Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Sarawak (M-Ficord) expresses its concern over the shortage of raw materials, which could inadvertently affect the processing and marketing industry.
Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, hence, suggested for the Sarawak Agriculture Department to conduct a comprehensive study to identify individuals or groups who are interested in the local products’ processing and marketing.
“With an emphasis on sustainability, we will organise a seminar or conference in Kuching in the near future involving all relevant parties to contribute ideas or innovative solutions regarding the matter,” he said when interviewed by reporters at the Food and Hotel Asia (FHA) – Food & Beverage (F&B) 2024 exhibition event in Singapore yesterday.
According to Dr Rundi, such move would be able to expand the local product market at the global level.
“My aim is to ensure that local products can reach industrial grade to ensure sustainability and economic growth,” he said in a report issued by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas).
Commenting on his visit to Singapore, he said it was conducted on his own initiative because he wanted to see and learn the existing downstream process for Sarawak to market its products.
“Many people are interested in marketing, processing and so on, but Sarawak needs a complete supply chain.
“If they have the desire to do marketing but if the supply of raw materials is insufficient, that will be a problem.
“Although various products such as coconut, banana, pineapple and durian have been identified, however, until today we have not yet reached the industrial level.
“So, now we look at food security, rice, paddy and so on, for that there must be economies of scale while I really hope that we will have an industry for existing products,” he said.
Also participating in the visit were Agriculture Sarawak director Dominic Chunggat, and also Sarawak Tourism and Trade Office, Singapore (Statos) deputy chief executive officer Putrie Rozana Soraya and its trade and investment manager Tan Teng Cheng.