Julaihi (fourth row from front, fourth left), flanked by Rubiah and Aidel, joins a group photo with course participants after the closing ceremony.

SADONG JAYA: Several industrial estates will be set up in smaller towns across the state, with the objective of enhancing the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) there.

Assistant Minister of Industrial Development (Investment and Promotion) Datuk Julaihi Narawi, listed out Lundu, Betong, Sri Aman and Sebuyau as among the locations of these estates, to be established under the 11th Malaysian Plan (11MP).

He said such setup would further boost rural SMEs, especially those engaged in food and food-based industries, knowing that the raw materials could be easily sourced in those areas.

“The move is hoped to not only boost these SMEs, mainly those running downstream food-based processing and manufacturing, but also to increase the income of the rural people. This is in line with the government’s mission to transform and develop the rural areas,” he told reporters here on Thursday after officiating at the closing and presentation of certificates of a food processing technology course in Kampung Jaie.

The two-day programme, organised by Industrial Development Ministry and Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi), hosted 70 participants — the majority of whom were the villagers.

Julaihi, who is also Assistant Minister of Rural Development, added that apart from the four listed areas, other smaller towns would also enjoy similar facilities under the setup.

“When we (government) talk about transforming the rural areas, it is not only about bringing physical development such as roads, but also to increase the income of the people there. This is why we (government) are serious in setting up industrial estates (across rural towns) to provide a business platforms for the people.”

Julaihi, who is Sebuyau assemblyman, also assured the local folk that his ministry, together with Mardi, would continue with the ‘Go Rural’ initiative through the holding of courses and seminars related to food processing, as well as potential programmes for product development and commercialisation, towards increasing food production in the state.

Notably, he also advised the people to always provide correct information to keen investors, reminding them that any inaccuracy would only serve to tarnish the image of the state and scare these potential investors away.

He also highlighted the halal food market – a segment that he deemed as having the potential to be successful.

According to him, the world halal market has reached RM9.2 trillion in annual sales, backed by a population of some two billion Muslims around the globe.

“Halal food is not only confined to the Muslims, but also to the non-Muslims because of the items must pass stringent standards especially on cleanliness before they go out in the market.

“Moreover with the setup of the AEC (Asean Economic Community) this year, we will see the penetration of products and services across 10 member countries, with a combined population of over 600 million.”

The ceremony yesterday was also attended by Minister in Prime Minister’s Department and Batang Sadong MP Nancy Shukri, Kota Samarahan MP Rubiah Wang, Sadong Jaya assemblyman Aidel Lariwoo, Samarahan Resident Abdul Rahman Sebli Senusi and private secretary to Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Kamaluddin Mohd Effendie.