By Adrian Lim
LAWAS, Dec 19: The rockmelon in Sundar here has been touted as a fruit which has huge potential for marketability.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the state government will increase its promotional and branding activities for the fruit in Brunei and overseas markets.
“We want to rebrand the Rimbunan Kaseh project which produces one of the best rock melon.
“We want to enhance the branding and promote the products from Sundar and Lawas.
“There is rockmelon in Japan which is famous.
“But we also have rockmelon from Sundar, Lawas.
“Then, we can market it to Brunei as there are many people there and then expand it to other markets,” he said in his speech during the launching of the Anjung Usahawan Sundar event as well as the presentation of aid in the form of boat engines to local fishermen at Lawas district here today.
Awang Tengah added the state government had taken over the Rimbunan Kaseh’s community economic uplifting programme in Lawas from the former Pakatan Harapan (PH) government after the programme was halted by PH during their administration.
He added some of the projects which were cancelled by the PH in Sarawak are currently being administered under the Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA).
Awang Tengah who is also International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development Minister said the state government will appoint companies to assist local entrepreneurs and agricultural producers to market and commercialise their products.
Thus, he urges the local community to be involved more in the economic development activities such as aquaculture, fisheries and livestock rearing.
Awang Tengah who is also Second Minister of Urban Development and Resources said the state government is committed to assist the locals to generate more income and upgrade their standard of living.
Citing an example, he disclosed that the Rimbunan Kaseh programme has facilities such as ponds and seedlings needed to assist the locals to be involved in aquaculture activities.
He also said the state government through the Northern Region Development Authority (NRDA) has provided RM5 million to assist fishermen in Lawas and Limbang with their livelihood through the supply of boat engines to help them in their catchment.
Hence, he called on the people in Lawas to take advantage of the aid and the financial assistance provided by the state government to help the local economy to recover and grow especially post Covid-19.
Among those present at the event were Deputy Minister of Rural Development Datuk Henry Sum Agong who is also Lawas MP, Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development permanent secretary Datu Liaw Soon Eng and Ministry of Urban Development and Resources permanent secretary Datu Zaidi Mahdi. —DayakDaily
