Dr Rundi was briefed during a visit to the pond owned by Rambungan Aqua Life Sdn Bhd in Loba Stoh Rambungan, today.
- UKAS pic
LUNDU: The Sarawak government will continue to support shrimp farming companies that comply with environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects.
Minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said that farming companies that comply with ESG have an advantage in exporting shrimp in an effort to make shrimp a food export by 2030.
"At Rambungan Aquatic Sdn Bhd, they carry out smart farming that complies with ESG for the environment.
"So, when we have ESG status, we have an advantage in exporting shrimp compared to those that do not have ESG.
"ESG means that we do not throw away all waste carelessly and so on and it is in line with the circular economy concept," he said.
"Of course the government will give full support to this effort because this is how we can get a specific market for our shrimp exports in the future," he said.
He said this when met by the media after the Rambungan Aqua Life Sdn Bhd Shrimp Harvesting Program at Loba Stoh Rambungan here, today.
Quoting the UKAS report, he said that there are still traditional farmers who still use traditional methods that do not comply with ESG but the market price is more or less the same for the local market.
However, he said, the advantage of ESG-compliant farmers is now exporting to the global market with no limits on whatever efforts are carried out.
Meanwhile, Dr Rundi stated that his ministry would continue to support Rambungan Aquatic Sdn Bhd to continue its efforts to develop an ESG-compliant shrimp farming industry.
He explained that this would allow for the creation of similar new ways of shrimp farming in other areas where Sarawak is in a position to export in larger quantities.
"The government will provide as much support as possible including technical advice, financial assistance and so on, especially for basic matters at the initial stage," he said.
He explained that now, Rambungan Aquatic Sdn Bhd is allowed to use 297 hectares of land to farm shrimp.
For the record, Rambungan Aqua Life Sdn Bhd is a joint venture between the Sarawak State Farmers' Organisation (PPNS) and Sea Horse Corporation Sdn Bhd.
Also present were Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Datuk Martin Ben and Advisor to the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom, General Manager of PPNS Gom Raway and Chief Executive Officer of Rambungan Aqua Life Sdn Bhd Sim Ing Jye.
