By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Feb 17: Bau aims to achieve gross regional product (GRP) worth RM1.8 billion by 2030, says Deputy Minister of Transport (Maritime and Riverine) Dato Henry Harry Jinep.
The Tasik Biru assemblyman said in an initial report done by the appointed consultant for the ‘Greater Bau’ Masterplan engaged by Sarawak Economic Planning Unit (EPU), it was projected that Bau would contribute RM800 million GRP per year, which he considered as ‘very low’.
Thus, Bau needs to upgrade certain components of development to achieve the target.
This, he said, would include the coming plans from the Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA), projects under ‘Projek Rakyat’ (People’s Project), the implementation of Sarawak-Malaysia My Second Home (S-MM2H) programme in Bau, as well as the efforts to make sure Serikin would be part of the RM1 billion allocation for the development of Sarawak’s and Sabah’s borders.
“These are the multiplier effects that the people of Bau are going to enjoy and GKCDA funding will also complement all these developments.
“We have government infrastructure and private investors coming in with the investments so that is where we hope we can achieve the RM1.8 billion GRP by 2030,” he told reporters after officiating the GKCDA Tasik Biru mini lab held at Riverside Majestic Hotel here today.
At the same time, Henry said the coming plans for Bau under GKCDA would be a separate exercise from the projects planned under the Blueprint for Bau District 2016-2030.
“The projects under the Blueprint which have been approved under either Projek Rakyat or 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), we will not develop further because they are already considered to be implemented. It is already in process.
“But the new ones, how to complement what we have here, are what we are looking into. For example, the building of Serikin border township, maybe the premium outlet, the inland port or maybe upgrade the Bau-Serikin road when there’s more traffic coming up. Thus, these are the new things that we want to put under GKCDA,” he added.
Also present were GKCDA special administrative officer Datu Ik Pahon Joyik, Serian Resident Selamat Jati Yanjah, Bau District Officer Constantine Gerald David Jonas, and administrative officer from Kuching Resident’s Office Low Suk Fong. — DayakDaily
