By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Sept 10: Sarawak is developing a 10-year Bioeconomy and Biotechnology Roadmap aimed at positioning the State as a leading bioeconomy and biotechnology hub in the region.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the Sarawak Bioeconomy and Biotechnology Roadmap 2026-2035 would identify opportunities for research, innovation, investment and commercialisation in the sector.
He said the roadmap would be developed through stakeholder consultations, scientific studies and industry engagement, with a focus on creating new opportunities across healthcare, agriculture, food security, environmental sustainability and high-value bio-based industries.
“By harnessing biotechnology, research, and innovation responsibly, we can create new opportunities in healthcare, agriculture, food security, environmental sustainability, and high-value bio-based industries, while ensuring that development remains sustainable and inclusive,” he said when officiating the Sarawak SHInE International Conference (SHInE) 2026 held at Imperial Hotel here today.
Abang Johari said the roadmap would support the mandate of the Sarawak Research and Development Council (SRDC) to strengthen research, development, innovation and commercialisation as Sarawak transitions towards a sustainable, innovation-driven and knowledge-based bioeconomy.
He said he was pleased to witness the establishment of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between SRDC and Bioverde Technologies Sdn Bhd for the development of the roadmap.
The initiative, he added, would also form part of SRDC’s Innovation Corridor, connecting research, innovation, talent, industry and investment within an integrated ecosystem.
“This initiative also forms an important component of SRDC’s Innovation Corridor, connecting research, innovation, talent, industry, and investment into an integrated ecosystem that transforms ideas into enterprises and long-term economic value,” he said.
At the event, Abang Johari also witnessed the exchange of four other strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) aimed at boosting the State’s biomedical, environmental, and intellectual property capabilities.
Under the agreements, the Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC) partnered with the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge to build Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory expertise and strengthen the ASEAN disease surveillance network, while also teaming up with Thailand’s National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) to advance vaccine and biologics research under the VaxBioD Programme.
Concurrently, SRDC signed an MOA through the Sarawak Tropical Peat Research Institute (TROPI) with the University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) to conduct joint environmental health and microbial genomics research.
To support the commercialisation of local innovations, SRDC also exchanged MOUs with the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) to establish a dedicated Sarawak IP database.
Also present were Minister For Education, Innovation and Talent Development Sarawak, Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn; Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development I (Education and Innovation) Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee; Deputy Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment, Datuk Malcom Mussen Lamoh; Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni; Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC) chief executive officer and SHInE 2026 organising chairman, Associate Prof. Dr Ivan K.S. Yap; and Sarawak Research and Development Council (SRDC) general manager and SHInE 2026 organising chairman Dr Peter Morin Nissom. — DayakDaily
