KUCHING: The Sarawak government, through the Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD), will work to find solutions to issues faced by port users in the state.
Its minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said MIPD together with the State Planning Unit (EPU), port authorities and operators would meet in Kuching this week over the matter.
"I learnt from reports that you are facing some issues which affect your business. So we are here today to listen.
"In the forthcoming meeting, we hope to resolve these which are short term and management issues," he said when visiting the Samalaju port yesterday.
He also had a meeting with senior representatives from seven big companies operating in the Samalaju industrial zone which used the port as their export exit.
Uggah reassured them it was the stance of the state government to be pro-business, pro-trade and pro-investment.
He said investors and companies at the industrial zone were all very important to Sarawak as they have provided job opportunities and contributed to the state's economic growth, especially with the Post Covid-19 Development Plan toward 2030.
"You are already here and we certainly want you to stay forever. We also want you to help promote Sarawak as the most ideal place to invest among other outside investors.
"As such, we will continue to put in place the infrastructure and the ecosystem you need. We will not only provide but will ensure they are available and always efficient to deliver as this is critical," he said.
Uggah added that Chief Minister Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg was aware about the problems faced by port users and the latter was very concerned.
"He (Abang Johari) had wanted them resolved soonest," he said.
Meanwhile at the meeting yesterday, the senior representatives were given the opportunity to voice their grouses and concerns. Top of the list was the long turnaround time for loading resulting in them incurring greater costs.
According to Yuki Nakamura, the general manager of Pertama Ferroalloys, the turnaround time should ideally be five days like in Japanese ports.
"Here, we sometimes experience up to 14 days," he said, adding that ports equipment should be maintained regularly and properly to avoid breakdowns which would inevitably affect port operations.
He suggested the latest technology and equipment be introduced.
MIPD Assistant Minister Datuk Majang Renggi and its Permanent Secretary Datuk Safri Zainuddin, EPU director Datuk Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel joined Uggah at the event.
