Additional RM5 Billion Allocation For High Impact Projects In Sabah

KOTA KINABALU, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Tuesday announced an additional allocation of RM5 billion for high impact projects identified in Sabah under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).

Officiating the action plan for the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) at the Teluk Sepanggar container port near here, he said the allocation will be prepared during the mid-term review of the 9MP.

The government had earlier allocated RM11.4 billion to implement projects in Sabah during the five-year period of the 9MP with the focus on agriculture, human resource development and tourism.

Abdullah also said that the government will announce a package of incentives to develop the sectors and programmes given priority under the SDC.

"The government will announce a series of incentives for those interested to participate in the development of Sabah and those bringing investments to the state," he said.

"And especially for our foreign friends who want to be here, this is a land of opportunity to do well and enjoy some benefits on the return of their investments."

Abdullah said a special implementation body, the Sabah Economic Development Investment Authority or SEDIA, will be set up to oversee the direction of the SDC.

"The planning has been detailed and comprehensive. The people's hopes are high. Hopefully, our dream today can become a bright legacy for the future generation," he said.

-- BERNAMA