Malaysia: Sabah wants to attract more investors to open seaweed processing plants

SEMPORNA: Sabah wants to attract more investors, especially from abroad, to open a seaweed processing plant in the state, further developing the industry as a catalyst for local economic development. Sabah Fisheries Department deputy director (Development) Azhar Kassim said the seaweed industry in Sabah had great potential with revenue from raw seaweed of up to RM50 million to RM60 million a year and production of around 18,000 metric tonnes a year, over the past three years. "This is the current data on dried seaweed that we take. This data (income) can increase up to three to four times if we can process and export the seaweed," he said in an interview with Bernama. He said currently the commodity in raw and dried form was exported to China, Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia which benefited about 1,200 entrepreneurs in Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu and Tawau. Commenting further, Azhar said Sabah was being watched by two potential investors from China and Peninsular Malaysia ...