SEDIA SUBMITS 14 PROJECT PROPOSALS WORTH RM702 MLN UNDER 13MP

TUARAN, March 21 (Bernama) -- The Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (SEDIA) has submitted 14 project proposals worth RM702 million under the First Rolling Plan of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who chairs SEDIA, said the proposals had been presented to the Ministry of Economy for consideration and approval.

He added that with funding from the Ministry of Economy, the authority has also completed the Sabah Border Area Economic Development Study, which outlines a comprehensive strategic plan to drive sustainable economic growth in Sipitang, Nabawan, Kalabakan, and Tawau.

“These areas are strategically located near North Kalimantan, Brunei, and Sarawak, with identified key economic sectors,” he said in a statement following the SEDIA meeting at the Bajau Sama Cultural Centre in Kampung Lok Batik today.

He said the targeted sectors include community-based tourism, fisheries and aquaculture, downstream palm oil industries, biochemicals, biofuels, and cross-border trade, which are expected to increase the region’s Gross Value Added to RM1.6 billion and create 10,660 jobs by 2040.

Hajiji noted that from the 9th to the 12th Malaysia Plans, SEDIA has implemented over 1,275 projects with a total allocation of RM3.8 billion, with 90 percent spent on high-impact, people-centric projects, poverty eradication programmes, and human capital development.

He added the authority has conducted a feasibility study on blood cockle farming and identified potential sites in Tawau, Semporna, Tuaran, Kudat, Beluran, and Teluk Padas, Beaufort in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries. 

“This blood cockle farming project, the first of its kind in Sabah, has the potential to be developed as a People’s Income Initiative project, benefiting more than 3,000 individuals,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hajiji noted that SEDIA’s partnership with the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation has successfully assessed and guided 10 local research projects with commercialisation potential.

Additionally, Sabah has been selected as a test site for passenger and cargo drone transportation, an initiative led by SEDIA in partnership with FUTURISE Berhad, a company under the Ministry of Finance, to be conducted at a suitable location currently being identified.

-- BERNAMA