KOTA KINABALU: The BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines East Asean Growth Area) Malaysia Business Council is in active discussions with a government-linked company (GLC) to embark on a large-scale rubber plantation in Palawan, the Philippines.
Its chairman Roselan Johar Mohamed said 12,000 hectares have been allotted for rubber plantation on the island, which can produce 3,600 metric tonnes of raw rubber per month.
The rubber, he said, could then be sent to Kudat when a ramp for the berthing of a roll-on/roll-off vessel in the northern district of Sabah is ready.
“The offer from the Philippine side of the venture had been generous and we hope the Malaysian side will reciprocate likewise so that a symbiotic relationship can be nurtured,” he said yesterday.
Roselan said the Philippine government had established a Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for its workers to be trained in extracting raw rubber.
“TESDA will provide the training standards for workers interested in mastering the skill and securing employment in the plantations as well as to transform the crop into useful and marketable products.
“The Malaysian GLC concerned will need to sponsor students in batches so that when harvesting season comes, everybody will be ready,” he said.
Bernama
