Samalaju Industrial Park is becoming the engine room of SCORE with a number of local and international manufacturing industries establishing a presence here to take advantage of the competitively priced energy and supporting infrastructure projects initiated by the State government and managed by RECODA.

The building of the deep-sea port in Samalaju is a key component of this infrastructure that will give investors in SIP excellent accessibility to the major markets of the region and the world. The port already has a berth capacity of 18 million tonnes and that will increase to approximately 35 million tonnes upon completion of the port.

Samalaju Port is built with efficiency in mind to minimize the amount of time ships are berthed thereby maximizing value to both shipping lines and customers. However, one of the biggest challenges to the success of new ports is a lack of complementary infrastructural development. This is not an issue in Samalaju as the Samalaju port will offer fast and efficient distribution capabilities with seamless integration linking sea with existing and planned road infrastructure.

Cahya Maya Sarawak Bhd (CMS), Naim Holdings Bhd (Naim) and Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) have joined forced to develop complementary infrastructure including green townships and eco-friendly housing developments. CMS has also established a subsidiary, Samalaju Properties Sdn Bhd, to develop complementary infrastructure including an enterprise zone for small and medium sized industries and a lodge for employees at SIP. This well planned approach to infrastructure gives manufacturers in Samalaju Industrial Park confidence in the future of the park.

Looking to take advantage of SIP and this strategic infrastructure, existing investors who have already signed agreements with Samalaju include Tokuyama Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Press Metal Bintulu Sdn Bhd, OM Materials (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd, Malaysian Phosphate Additive Sarawak Sdn Bhd, Pertama Ferroalloys Sdn Bhd and Sakura Ferroalloy Sdn Bhd the joint venture between Japan’s Sumitomo Corp, Taiwan’s China Steep Corp and Assmang of South Africa.

Sarawak Energy Bhd supplies energy to investors and service providers in SIP from the Bakun Hydroelectric Dam which is already producing over 900MW, equivalent to about 50% of its capacity which leaves plenty of capacity for future investors looking for a clean, safe and renewable energy source.

Samalaju Industrial Park is becoming the engine room of Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE). As the infrastructure is completed and more investors move in, the area will provide extensive employment opportunities to Sarawakians.

- RECODA