LABUAN POISED TO BECOME COMPETITIVE TUNA HUB

By Jailani Hasan

LABUAN, Jan 14 (Bernama) -- The long-established tuna industry in this duty-free island has the potential for further development, offering substantial benefits to the local economy and creating more employment opportunities.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa highlighted Labuan's emerging status as a potential global hub for the tuna industry, thanks to its international business networks.

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“Today, I visited Labuan Food Industries, which is involved in the tuna sector, and I am proud to learn that the industry has successfully penetrated international markets,” she told Bernama after visiting the site in Patau-Patau here today.

Dr Zaliha noted that Labuan Food Industries has been a key player in commercial fishing, manufacturing, exporting, and trading of frozen seafood, particularly tuna, in the past 35 years.

“Labuan Food Industries stands out as a major exporter of tuna to key markets, including the United States, Europe, and Oceania. 

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“The company employs state-of-the-art processing technologies, such as ultra-low freezing at temperatures as low as -60°C, ensuring the highest quality of their tuna products,” she said.

Dr Zaliha pointed out that the global tuna industry is currently valued at approximately US$42 billion (US$1=RM4.49) and is projected to grow to US$54 billion by 2032.

"Labuan's strategic location provides a unique opportunity to establish itself as a key player in this booming industry,” she said.

She highlighted the immense potential for Labuan to transform into a world-class tuna processing hub, generating substantial economic value for the local community.

"The tuna industry offers a golden opportunity to drive economic growth in Labuan, create jobs, and position Labuan as a leading global tuna processing centre.

"Continuous support for this industry is essential to achieve these goals," she said.

Dr Zaliha added with a strong ecosystem and robust support, Labuan is well-positioned to lead the global tuna industry, thereby strengthening Malaysia’s presence on the international stage.

--BERNAMA