By Raynold Thomas
GUANGZHOU: An area of approximately 50 acres in Numbak, Sepanggar, is set to become a one-stop fisheries industry centre linking research, seeding, farming, processing and marketing, if the state government’s plans proceed smoothly.
The inspiration came from the Sabah delegation’s visit to the Nansha Fisheries Industrial Park in Guangzhou on the second day of the state’s trade mission today.
Sabah Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said the visit provided a clear picture of integrated fisheries industry development that could serve as a reference for planning the Numbak area.
“Not only focused on fish breeding, but we also need to trace other activities so that everything is interconnected, from fish seed, farming, pond water management, harvesting right through to marketing products to restaurants,” he said.
Jamawi said his ministry also saw potential for cooperation with the management of the industrial park to bring suitable technology to Sabah, in line with the blue economy agenda under Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ).
Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Sabah president Datuk Dexter Lau is confident that such cooperation opens a new path for aquaculture development in Sabah.
Asked whether KTC might open the way for cooperation in the sector, he answered confidently: “Yes, I am very excited.”
According to him, Sabah has various resources and products with potential to be highlighted through business cooperation and access to new markets.
“What we need to do is adapt it to Sabah’s needs. Through that adaptation, we can create jobs, markets and new opportunities,” he said.
Dexter stressed MCCC Sabah’s commitment to playing a bigger role in supporting the state government and ministry in bringing Sabah’s products and economic potential to the international market.
The visit was also joined by about 120 delegates and trade representatives from Thailand, including Lt. Jg. Dr. Veerachai Gosasang and Ph.D Nara Ilachan.
– TV Sabah
