KUCHING, Aug 23: Sarawak will soon have the biggest steel manufacturing plant in the region.
With an expected production capacity of 10 million tonnes per annum, it will be built in Samalaju Industrial Park in Bintulu by investors from China, the Chief Minister’s Office said in a statement today.
“When completed, this state-of-the-art facility would be one of the most advanced steel manufacturing plants in the region, employing more than 4,000 operational personnel.
“The project is expected to begin earthworks by the end of 2019 and commence construction in mid-2020,” the statement continued.
Yesterday Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg received a courtesy call from a team of Chinese investors, who updated him on the progress of the multi-billion ringgit investment.
Also present during the visit was Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who is also the Minister of International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development.
The Chinese delegation comprised of president of the Metallurgical Corporation Zhang Meng Xing, CCCC International Investment Holding Co Ltd vice-president Xu Jun and Wenan Iron & Steel Co Ltd chief executive officer Wang Wenan.
Zhang, during the courtesy call, told Abang Johari that the project’s proposed production capacity had been increased from the original 3.5 million tonnes per annum to 10 million tonnes per annum, thus making it the largest steel manufacturing plant in the region.
The project would be incorporating the latest smart technology and environmentally friendly design utilising 5G technologies, in collaboration with Huawei.
Zhang said this would be in line with Sarawak’s policy of moving its industries toward Industry 4.0, as envisaged by Abang Johari.
Also present during the courtesy call were Assistant Minister of International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development Malcom Mussen Lamoh and the ministry’s Permanent Secretary Datu Liaw Soon Eng. — DayakDaily
