Hajiji lauds Lahad Datu POIC Port’s potential to be key transshipment hub
05 Sep 2022
The Lahad Datu Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC) Port has the potential to become one of the main transshipment hubs in the region, said Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said the strategic position of the port in the middle of East Asia has significant advantages in handling bulk cargo, where processing can be done before being exported to developed countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
“There is no doubt that the new infrastructure will generate local socio-economic growth including job opportunities. The port will also further boost the industrial sector in Sabah.
“Industry is one of the main sectors in the Sabah Maju Jaya Development Plan and is also the main focus sector for the state’s economic growth,” he said in a statement in conjunction with the official launch ceremony of the Lahad Datu POIC Port and the operational commencement of the POIC bulk tank facility here on Monday (Sept 5).
Hajiji said the port industry sector is one of the main catalysts and backbone of the state’s development, especially involving the delivery of goods or cargo.
He said good and quality infrastructure facilities would be able to support every economic development effort in Sabah.
“We are confident in the state government’s close cooperation, together with the strong support from government-linked companies.
“This includes establishing the POIC Lahad Datu in 2005, with the objective of leading development in the downstream palm oil processing industry sector, to add value to the 1.4 million hectares of palm oil plantations in Sabah, in addition to creating job and business opportunities,” he said.
Hajiji expressed optimism that the Lahad Datu POIC Port would boost the state’s economic activities, especially in the manufacturing sector and logistics services to support export and import operations.
He said that POIC Sabah Sdn Bhd, through its subsidiary POIC Logistics Sdn Bhd, will be fully responsible for managing port operations at the POIC, which provides the most comprehensive, sophisticated and well-equipped port facilities in the increasingly important Lombok-Makassar Straits.
The port facilities consist of a container terminal, dry bulk terminal, liquid bulk terminal and barge/barge landing wharf.
The chief minister said the Lahad Datu POIC Port is one of ports with the most comprehensive facilities in the region, with these infrastructure facilities in place.
“The port in the POIC has a natural depth of up to 20 metres, comparable to the best ports in the world such as the Port of Rotterdam. Therefore, it is hoped that local industry players will be able to take advantage of the port facilities.
“Thus, this port will be a catalyst for the state’s economic development, especially for the east coast of Sabah and will be one of the main gateways for trade and investment,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hajiji said the state government supports and agrees in principle to several proposed initiatives that can drive development and increase the POIC’s ability to boost industrial activities in the east coast region of Sabah.
The initiatives include the creation of a free zone in Lahad Datu Industrial Park, the establishment of a satellite biomass collection centre, the development of an international airport in Lahad Datu, the establishment of a maritime academy, and the construction of a health treatment centre on commercial land in POIC Lahad Datu.
Source: Bernama
