Time really flies!
There is a saying “Time and Tide waits for no man” and SCCI is now 59 years old.
We have noted that Sarawak in now in a rapid transformation into a vibrant and economically wealthy state, as a result of the visionary State Government.
The Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) which was launched in February 2, 2008 is the top priority in the wave of development. It was noted that to date, some RM24 billion in investment have been poured into Sarawak and a further RM70 billion worth of projects have been proposed to bring in investment of about RM300 billion up to 2030. Ten sectors have been identified for SCORE as priority areas- Oil based, aluminium, steel and glass, tourism, palm oil, timber, livestock, aquaculture and marine engineering industries providing huge investment potentials. About 800,000 job opportunities will be directly made available by the giant industries within SCORE.
Malaysia is now at the final stage of implementing the national minimum wage scheme of RM800.00 to selected industries especially in the manufacturing sectors and we must be prepared for it. This will set the tone to give a good start in the New Economic Model.
In the National Budget 2011, the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has unveiled RM212 billion budget to propel Malaysia into a high-come economy. The budget emphasised on efforts to transform the nation into a developed and high-income economy with inclusive and sustainable development, to be spearheaded by the private sectors.
The State Budget 2011 also expected to generate surplus of RM60 million and a budget for high income economy. The Budget emphasised to develop the necessary infrastructures and amenities such as road, drainage, telecommunication, electricity and water supplies aimed at improving the quality of life as well as attracting more investment into Sarawak.
SCCI would like to congratulate the State Government for presenting for laying the foundation to transform the State economy to a capital intensive and knowledge-based economy, thereby moving the value chain to become a high income and advanced economy. The National Key Results Area (NKRA) has been established to develop a high income economy through an inclusive, balanced and sustainable development. We have already witnessed some improvement in areas of crime reduction, providing welfare assistance to the poor and needy etc.
Tonight, we also honour our outstanding entrepreneurs in Sarawak who have shown great tenacity, entrepreneurship and overcome great odds to succeed in their own respective fields. For the SCCI Corporate Reporting Awards for listed companies, I would like to congratulate them which displays the highest standard of corporate reporting and presentation and who represents the leader and reporting model in the areas of compliance and mandatory disclosures as well as other additional information in their Annual Reports.
SCCI in collaboration with The Ministry of Industrial Development (MID) would launch the SME Data Base, a portal to inform our local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) of the business opportunities arising from foreign direct investment into the State.
I would like to thank our Guest of Honour for gracing our dinner tonight and also my congratulation to the organising committee headed by Mdm Rita who has once again shown her leadership in organising such a wonderful anniversary dinner tonight.
