PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today launched Sabah and Sarawak Biomass Industry Development Plans.

He lauded both states for their leadership and commitment towards the country’s biomass vision and making it part of the overall state agenda.

“The launch today showcases the state governments’ commitment and the pragmatic approach toward delivery (of this agenda). “Sabah and Sarawak state governments and Agensi Inovasi Malaysia (AIM) will establish a local taskforce to implement respective biomass action plans,” he said in his speech.

He added that Sabah and Sarawak could position Malaysia as the premier biomass processing hub in Southeast Asia with more than 50 per cent biomass generated from both states.

Sabah’s 4.8 million dry tonnes of palm oil biomass used for high value applications, Najib said, could create RM3.2 billion in additional gross national income (GNI), RM13.5 billion in new investment opportunities and over 25,000 jobs.

Sarawak’s biomass industry development, he added, could churn out additional RM4.8 billion in GNI, 30,000 new jobs and RM18 billion in investment opportunities.-nst