By Peter Sibon
SINGAPORE, June 20: Hornbill Skyways is in the process of acquiring a Cessna cargo plane to transport fresh agriculture produce from Sarawak to Singapore, revealed Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg today.
The plane will be equipped with a refrigeration facility to ensure the agricultural produce remains fresh when it reaches Singapore.
“We are acquiring a small cargo Cessna plane, with three containers (capacity), that will be used to transport fresh agricultural produce such as vegetables, fruits, fish and poultry from Sarawak.
“Hornbill Skyways is now arranging it. We hope we can have it by either end of the year or by the first quarter of next year,” he told reporters covering his launching of Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (Statos) at 80, Robinson Road, here, today.
Abang Johari emphasised that Sarawak needed to push its agriculture sector to a higher level to meet global demand.
“We have to meet the stringent standard set up by the Singapore government. So, on our part, we have stressed the importance of food safety by using the internet of things (IoT),” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who was also present, said the setting up of Statos was indeed a strategic move by the state government to tap the full potential of the state’s agriculture sector by linking it with Singapore, which he considered a global trading hub.
“It is a strategic and wise move by our CM to set up Statos as it will become a gateway to the world market,” he said.
He reiterated that with the setting up of Statos, Sarawak would be able to achieve its dream of becoming a net food exporter by 2030.
“Singapore is a trade centre and the setting up of Statos will enhance our agriculture sector as we will be able to export our food directly to Singapore and from here, it could be exported to markets such as China and Europe,” he said.
Uggah also hoped Statos would be fully utilised by farmers, entrepreneurs and manufacturers from Sarawak.
“What is important is the market. So, we must comply with their standard. As you can see, we have a variety of products here on display. For instance, we have pepper products, Bario rice and birds nest here. What is important is for us to have a good practising standard.
“This way these products will be able to penetrate international markets,” highlighted Uggah. — DayakDaily
