Tapping the Blue Economy next
Published on: Thursday, November 30, 2023
By: Larry Ralon
Hajiji arriving for the State Assembly sitting yesterday.
Kota Kinabalu: The Blue Economy is the new focus of Sabah’s development agenda under the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya Development Plan (SMJ), said Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Abidin Madingkir.
He said among the areas identified for Sabah were fisheries and aquaculture, shipping and transport, tourism, renewable energy, mineral resources, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, blue carbon, waste management and pollution control, research and development and marine infrastructure.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Blue Economy was introduced in 2012 by the United Nations with emphasis on sustainable management of marine and coastal resources so that they are more productive and create a healthy marine ecosystem.
“The Blue Economy is included in the 12th Malaysia Plan 2021-2025 as one of the approaches to stimulate the national economy.
“The geographical position of Sabah is very strategic, surrounded by 37,300 square kilometres of ocean with a continental shelf of 116,800 square km and a coastline of 2,383km.
“To take advantage of this, the way forward of the State development agenda under the SMJ Development Plan is to make the Blue Economy a new focus,” he said when winding up for the Chief Minister’s Department (CMD) at the State Legislative Assembly sitting, Wednesday.
ADVERTISEMENT
He was replying to Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (Lamag), Dato’ Sri Ghulamhaidar Khan Bahadar (Kawang) and Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi (Segama) who raised the Blue Economy during their budget debates.
According to Abidin, Blue Economy refers to the sustainable use of marine resources for economic growth, improved living standards and job creation, while maintaining the sustainability of the marine ecosystem and promising great potential in various fields.
ADVERTISEMENT
“As announced by Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun during the tabling of the 2024 Sabah Budget, the State Government will organise an international conference in February 2024.
“In preparation for it, the SMJ Secretariat will organise a Synedrio Sabah Maju Jaya conference: Exploring New Treasures Through the Blue Economy Concept in Sabah with the theme ‘Beyond Limits, Unleashing Economy’ on December 14, 2023.
“This conference aims to unravel and then produce a Blue Economy framework for Sabah. This conference will involve 200 participants from various sectors namely the government, NGOs, industry players, academics, politicians and the public from inside and outside Sabah.
“The panels of speakers have international experience and expertise in the Blue Economy. The outcome will provide exposure, understanding and awareness to all interested to enable the State Government to produce an inclusive and workable framework,” he said.
A roundtable discussion session led by the Sabah Maju Jaya Secretariat will be held on Dec. 15 to draw up the Blue Economy action plan framework as an initial preparation for the conference.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
.jpg)
.jpg)
