KOTA KINABALU: Yayasan Sabah Group (YSG), through Sabah Handicraft Centre (PKS), on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) to establish sustainable raw material supply chains by launching its Raw Material Planting programme (2023-2026).

Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Abidin Madingkir officiated the signing ceremony held at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), here.

Signing on behalf of YSG was Yayasan Sabah Director cum Innoprise Corporation Sdn Bhd (ICSB) Executive Chairman Datuk Seri Gulamhaidar Khan Bahadar, witnessed by Yayasan Sabah Corporate Secretary Hanafiah Diman.

MTIB was represented by its Director-General Kamaruzaman Othman, witnessed by Wood Industry Skills Development Centre (Wisdec) Director Farydatul Nazly Mohd Zin.

Abidin said the programme organised by PKS under the Sabah Natives Special Programme (PKAN) will ease the demand for the State’s native forest as a source for raw materials, ensuring the long-term viability of raw materials such as bamboo and rattan which are essential commodities in the handicraft industry.

“The planting programme will be carried out in the Yayasan Sabah Concession Area with the involvement of local communities,” he said.

Abidin said Yayasan Sabah Group has established cooperative relationships with government agencies and institutions of higher education services such as the Implementation Coordination Unit, the Prime Minister’s Department (ICU, JPM), Sabah Development Office (SDO), Sabah State Economic Planning Unit (EPU), Sabah Forestry Department, Lands And Surveys Department Sabah, Sabah Agriculture Department, the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation (Sabah Branch) and University Malaysia Sabah to provide their expertise and high-value strategic advisory and ensuring the efficacy of the programme.

“MTIB will provide technical consultation on species selection, planting techniques, fertilisation and treatment; conduct studies and research on the material, product, machine and equipment; and issuing the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) Level 2 based on Recognition of Prior Achievement (PPT) to Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) participants,” he added.

He said the abundance of Sabah’s natural resources must be properly utilised sustainably to generate revenue and economic growth for the State in the industrial sector.

“Therefore, the programme is expected to amplify economic growth, expand upstream and downstream sectors and produce significant export materials capable of contributing to our country’s economic wellbeing,” he added.

YSG will continue to diversify its efforts to develop sustainable initiatives to empower our entrepreneurs.

https://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/203874/yayasan-sabah-group-signs-mou-on-supply-of-raw-materials/
Sumber: Daily Express