KUCHING: All port managements in Sarawak have been urged to modernise, innovate and adopt new technologies.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said with Sarawak aiming to become a high-income society by 2030, the ports would have an increasing and more important role.
"The plan is for us to export more food products by then. The ports will as such be a very crucial component of the development," he said when visiting the Senari Port here yesterday.
The working visit was his first to a port after being appointed the Minister of Infrastructure and Ports Development in the Sarawak cabinet line-up following the 12th state election in December.
Uggah said the process of modernisation would also need to include looking at new management styles and improving or enhancing all essential facilities.
"Look at port models around the world and set your benchmark on the successful one."
"We in the ministry will be proactive to ensure your growth in this direction," he said.
Uggah said Sarawak ports had a lot of potentials and could be just as competitive as those in the region.
"Let us leverage on the 'Sarawak Boleh' spirit to rise to the occasion," he called.
On the Senari Port operated by the Kuching Port Authority (KPA), he said it should find ways to improve its productivity. At the same time, it must come up with planning to meet new challenges.
Uggah was joined in the working visit by his assistant ministers Datuk Majang Renggi and Aidel Lariwoo and his ministry's permanent secretary Datuk Safri Zainudin.
The minister thanked port chairman Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah and KPA general manager Robert Lau Hong Thiam for briefings on the port activities and expansion programme.