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SEDC, BRS agree to set up Swiftlets Eco-Park |
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KUCHING: The effort to establish a legal and orderly bird's nest industry in Sarawak has gotten a boost from the signing of a joint-venture development agreement to set up a dedicated park near Balingian in Mukah Division.
The agreement to establish Swiftlets Eco-Park was signed between the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) and Borneo Resource Energy Sdn Bhd (BRS) yesterday at Menara SEDC here.
SEDC general manager Dr Sulaiman Husaini signed for SEDC while BRS was represented by its managing director Datuk Choo Beng Kai.
The signing was witnessed by SEDC chairman Datuk Talib Zulpilip and BRS chairman Datuk Mohamad Tajudin Bakar.
According to Talib, the project was approved by the State Planning Authority.
"We are looking forward to having the park. It will set a trend and encourages swiftlet farmers to carry out their businesses legally and in a systematic manner," he said during a press conference after the signing ceremony.
The proposed project involves the construction of 40 three-storeyed terraced buildings (each measuring 20 feet x 80 feet) and 15 three-storeyed bungalows (each measuring 35 feet x 63 feet).
The actual site is on Lots 51 and 52, Block 401, Balingian Land District by the Mukah-Balingian Highway, 44km from Mukah Town and 15km from Balingian town.
The rural setting fulfils the government's policy relating to the industry.
It will be the first of many which SEDC intends to develop throughtout the state.
Swiftlet farming has attracted a lot of interest among entrepreneurs in the state as well as other parts of the country due to the lucrative return.
Most farmers start by converting empty shophouses in urban areas into contravenes the Wild Life Protection (Edible Birds' Nest) (Amendment) Rules 2006.
Due to this, the authority has ordered them to close the shophouses and other structures used to rear swiftlets.
"We hope the park would provide alternative venues for those who are affected by the government's directive to shift their operations to approved sites as well as new players in the industry," said Talib, who is also Assistant Minister of Tourism.
Borneo Post
26/01/2010
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