What is SCORE?
The Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy or simply known as SCORE, is one of the five regional development corridors being developed throughout the country. SCORE is a major initiative undertaken to develop the Central Region and transform Sarawak into a developed State by the year 2020 It aims to achieve the goals of accelerating the State's economic growth and development, as well as improving the quality of life for the people of Sarawak.
The core of SCORE
The core of the corridor is the energy resources, particularly hydropower (28,000 MW), coal (1.46 billion tonnes), and natural gas (40.9 trillion square cubic feet) found abundantly within the Central Region.
This will allow Sarawak to price its energy competitively and encourage investments of energy-intensive industries that will act as triggers for the development of a vibrant industrial development in the corridor.
Where is SCORE located?
The corridor is located within the Central Region of Sarawak, stretching for 320 km along the coast from Tanjung Manis to Similajau and extending into the surrounding areas and the hinterland. SCORE covers an area of 70,709 sq km, with a population of 607,800 people. The major urban centres within the corridor are Sibu, Bintulu, Mukah, Sarikei and Kapit.
Plans & Strategies
The Sarawak Corridor will adopt a 5-prong development strategy:
1. Drive priority industries investments towards 3 major growth nodes along the Corridor - Tanjung Manis (south), Mukah (centre) and Similajau (north).
2. Build a well-designed network of industrial class transport and communication infrastructure within the Corridor, extended outwards to systematically open up the hinterland.
3. Fast-forward the development of energy supply centering around currently known feasible hydro power (Murum, Limbang, Baram and Baleh) and coal deposit sites.
4. Accelerate human capital development within the Corridor with new learning centres and controlled immigration of skilled foreign workers.
5. Develop the tourism industry, focusing on the natural attractions of the Central Region, particularly the lakes upstream of the hydro power stations and the beaches along the northern part of the Corridor.
Ten Priority Industries
Priority industries are industries that will have the highest economic impact on Sarawak and should be given priority focus in marketing planning, investment promotion and physical development planning. These 10 priority industries are:
1. Oil-based industry
2. Aluminium industry
3. Steel and glass industry
4. Tourism industry
5. Palm-oil industry
6. Timber-based industry
7. Livestock industry
8. Aquaculture industry
9. Marine engineering industry.
10. Glass industry
Three Major Growth Nodes
Three focused growth nodes are selected to focus investment efforts within the Corridor to derive synergies in the development of the entire central region. These 3 growth nodes are:
1. Similajau
2. Tanjung Manis
3. Mukah.
Phase For Corridor Development
The Sarawak Corridor will be developed in three phases:
• Phase I (2008-2015): Building the Corridor Foundation
o 9MP(MTR) and 10MP
o To build basic infrastructure for the Corridor
o To grab pioneer industries for the Corridor
• Phase II (2016-2020): Towards Vision 2020
o 11MP
o To ensure the growth and development of the Corridor by building industrial clusters
o To develop R&D capabilities
• Phase III (2021-2030): Fruition of the Corridor
o 12MP & 13MP
o R&D to sustain the economy
o More internally generated investments
What are the incentives for investing in SCORE?
Investors in strategic industries will receive attractive financial incentives to set up their operations in SCORE.
Among them are incentives offered by Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA), such as Pioneer Status, Investment Tax Allowance, and Reinvestment Allowance.
Investors in SCORE could also receive incentives from the Federal Government such as infrastructure allowance, import duty exemption, and double deductions on freight charges.
The State Government will also top these incentives by offering attractive rates for energy and land, as well as other incentives, especially for trigger projects and cluster development in the corridor.
The Regional Corridors Development Authorities (RECODA)
The Regional Corridors Development Authorities Ordinance, 2006 was passed by the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly on 11th December 2006 which prescribes these roles for RECODA:
1. To manage and promote development of the Regional Corridor
2. To ensure more expeditious and efficient mobilisation and optimising the use of natural resources including water and hydropower of the State to facilitate development of the Corridor
3. To plan for the development of the Corridor
4. To implement the plans and projects for the development of the Corridor
5. To service investor clients
A Regional Economic Development Authority (RECODA) will be set up to own, manage and implement the Sarawak Corridor. Its primary goal is to score the success of the Sarawak Corridor by 2030.
For Further Information Please Contact:
State Planning Unit
Chief Ministers Department
6th Floor, Wisma Bapa Malaysia
93502 Petra Jaya,
Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
Mr Buckland Ak. Bangik
Email: buckland@sarawaknet.gov.my
Telephone: 082 492275
Source£ºwww.sarawakscore.com.my
