Foreign accounts 51pc of SCORE's investment

KUCHING: Foreign investors account for 51.3 per cent of the private sector investment worth RM24 billion involving 15 projects so far under the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score) initiative, Chief Minister's Department State Planning Unit director Datuk Ismawi Ismuni said today.

In terms of approved investment by equity, he said, joint ventures make up another 27.6 per cent and domestic investment the remaining 21.1 per cent in the three major growth nodes of Mukah, Samalaju and Tanjung Manis.

"In addressing the issues and challenges faced by the implementation, it is the state government's plan that Score generates business and employment opportunites as part of the Sarawak Development Plan, which is on track towards a high income economy," he said at a briefing on current issues in the state organised by the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry here.

He said so far five companies with investment totalling RM11.2 billion have begun construction, including Tokuyama Corporation (RM6.6 billion) to manufacture polycrystalline silicon.

Press Metal Bintulu Sdn Bhd, which has an initial investment worth RM1.8 billion, will focus on the manufacture and marketing of aluminium products.

The 15 projects will also generate 13,994 jobs, mainly concentrated in Samalaju (11,679), Tanjung Manis (1,515) and Mukah (800), he said.

The Samalaju Industrial Park will house 11 projects, with Tanjung Manis and Mukah three and one respectively.-- Bernama