KUCHING: The state will continue to focus on research and development (R&D) to ensure that the intervention of science, technology and innovation (STI) will benefit the rural and urban economies.

This is so considering that R&D can help in finding solutions to improve the quality of life for the marginalised communities, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem.

“We have seen the benefits of successful STI interventions in the rural and urban economies in developed countries which we also like to see happening in Sarawak.

“A well-developed mission-oriented R&D will help to address the socio-economic imbalances between the rural and urban areas in the state,” he said when officiating at the closing of the Global R&D Leaders and CEOs Forum 2015 at Pullman Hotel here yesterday.

Adenan’s text-of-speech was read by Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Promotion of Technical Education) Datuk Len Talif Salleh.

The chief minister believed that closing the socio-economic inequality was a global imperative. The world would face a huge cost for failure to take action and what was required was an immediate and large-scale global response to reduce the world’s equity divide in terms of health, education, economic opportunity and access to new technologies.

There had been many efforts and initiatives proposed by various governments, interest groups and private organisations to develop and find solutions to poverty, illiteracy and climate change. Despite the political will, time and money spent on these initiatives, the challenges remained.

“There is a need for the scientific fraternity and business leaders to work together and embrace enculturation of social awareness and ethics to address this important issue. The solution must not only be commercially viable so that it is accessible to the world market but also acceptable by the government and community at the local level.”

He said between 2006 and 2010, the federal government had announced five economic corridors in a farsighted attempt to stimulate global and domestic investment in traditionally rural areas, to create balanced development throughout the country.

“As a result, the implementation of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) is a game changer for the state. It has been successful in attracting investors to the state. The abundance of natural resources, such as hydropower gives SCORE a significant advantage when competing to attract energy intensive industries and this has resulted in a number of early successes.

“Given the high standard of governance that we have put in place, we now have people in the local government and civil service who are dedicated to serve the society in a charitable and commercial way, in the promotion of healthy activities, in the field of education, the field of culture and other social activities.”

Adenan said when the state thought of SCORE 10 years ago, it made a commitment to invest more in tertiary education, training centres and technical colleges as it foresaw the increase of energy intensive industries establishing themselves in SCORE. This in turn would require a large number of skilled workers.

“Due to these strategic investments, I am confident that Sarawak, with the help of the federal government, could build the necessary talents and resources, backed by a strong and focused collaborative leadership, to inject soul into R&D and fully develop its socio-economic and business potentials and create a balanced regional development across the state,” he said.