By Wilfred Pilo
Kuching, Dec 3: Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) has been urged to make the leap towards commercialisation of Sarawak’s products being researched and developed, especially essential oil as ingredients for fragrance, through public-private partnerships by next year.
Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki emphasised that contacts with the industries are crucial to ensure successful commercialisation of products from Sarawak.
“I hoped that SBC could sign a few commercial agreements on essential oil as ingredients for fragrance.
“SBC is also at the forefront of working with local communities, and at least two more benefits-sharing agreements are on their way for next year.This is important to support the communities in economic development by increasing their livelihoods,” he said at the SBC Annual Dinner and Appreciation Night 2022 at a leading hotel here yesterday (Dec 2).
Having been appointed by the Sarawak government in leading the innovation cluster under Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, he stressed that SBC can further strive to achieve the aspiration of Sarawak to be a developed nation by 2030.
Abu Bakar, who is also SBC chairman, would like to see SBC linking to several national and international companies on the commercialisation of its resources developed into several partnerships by next year to boost the economy of Sarawak.
“SBC has been leveraging the natural resources in Sarawak for research, and we must continue to leap toward the commercialisation of Sarawak’s products.
“This is where the implementation of Sarawak Bioindustrial Park under the 12th Malaysia Plan is essential to pioneer development of bio-business opportunities, as well as attracting both local and foreign investments into the state through a public-private partnership,” he added.
The dinner also honoured the past chairman of SBC and former Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion, its former council members Datu Kameri Affandi, Datuk Amar Ahmad Termizi Sulaiman, Dr Alvin Chai Lian Kuet, Justin Jok Jau Emang, Dr Avijit Roy and Dato Goh Leng Gua.
The event also witnessed the presentation of Excellent Service Awards 2021 to staff.
Also present was SBC chief executive officer (CEO) Dr Yeo Tiong Chia. — DayakDaily
