Malaysia: The proposal to establish a Cocoa Belt in the area from Asajaya, Sebuyau, to Simunjan

KUCHING: The Ministry of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development will work with the Malaysian Cocoa Board (LKM) to propose the establishment of a 'Cocoa Belt' in a concentrated area from Asajaya, Sebuyau to Simunjan to strengthen the cocoa industry in Sarawak. Its minister, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, said this was due to its location close to the cocoa processing factory at LKM Kota Samarahan. "This effort is important to ensure a consistent and sufficient supply of dry cocoa beans for chocolate production at the factory. "The factory here has the capacity to process 50 metric tons of dry cocoa beans every year," he said when delivering the closing speech for his ministry at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Conference here today. Dr Rundi said that the production of cocoa beans in Sarawak is not enough to meet the needs of the local industry. "Sarawak imports cocoa beans, chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa worth RM106 million and exports ...