Sarawak News November 03, 2009 15:53 PM Score Attracts RM334 Billion In Proposed Investment KUCHING, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score) has already attracted interest from investors, especially those in the heavy, capital and energy-intensive industries, despite its infancy stage, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said on Tuesday. Dr Chan, who is also State Industrial Development Minister, said 80 per cent or RM267 billion of the total proposed investment totalling RM334 billion, which would be spread over the next 20 years until 2030, came from the private sector. "I want to reiterate that there are plenty of opportunities for everyone in Score, and for those of you who are still exploring to invest in Score, we invite you to come and work with us to realise your investment plans," he said when launching the International Energy Week 2009 (IEW 09) at the Borneo Convention Centre here. The three-day international event, which saw 250 booths set up by 28 participating countries, is one of the initiatives undertaken by the Sarawak state government to promote business and investment opportunities in Score. Dr Chan said a few multinational companies (MNCs) had made their decisions to invest in Score and the positive responses received so far exemplfied its attractiveness as the preferred investment destination. At this juncture, he said, works were progressing smoothly and on schedule to meet the tight timelines set by its investors, particularly in the Samalaju Industrial Park, Tanjung Manis and Mukah Industrial Estate. "The development of all the infrastructure is criticial and it is being closely monitored by the state and federal agencies to ensure timely completion," Dr Chan said, adding that the planning and development of access roads linking the hydropower dams such as Bakun and Murum to the industries were currently being undertaken. He said Sarawak could offer MNCs the option to look for sites that were readily available as well as sustainable energy supply due to the state's potential to produce renewable energy, totalling 20,000 megawatts by 2030. The state would also continue to take necessary steps to ensure that the development of Score, especially the energy sector in conforming to the standards set by the international communities, Dr Chan said. This will be done through the social and environmental impact assessment study for enegery projects and the strategic social and environmental impact assessment study for the whole of Score. "We would like to see in the long run that there is a steady development of industrial clusters for each of the 10 priority industries, including oil-based, aluminium, steel, glass, tourismn, palm oil, timber-based, livestock, aquaculture and marine engineering," he said. -- BERNAMA