KUCHING: The Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA) continues to play a pivotal role in driving Sarawak's Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 and advancing its vision to become a high-income and developed region by 2030.
By executing the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) Development Plan, the authority has achieved remarkable milestones in infrastructure and socio-economicdevelopment, fostering investment opportunities, generating employment, and improving livelihoods across the SCORE region.
RECODA Chief Executive Officer Datuk Ismawi Ismuni said in 2024, its strategic initiatives continued to emphasise urban-rural economic integration, ensuring balanced growth and equitable opportunities for all Sarawakians.
"This approach has created a cohesive landscape where communities thrive together, bridging the divide between urban and rural areas.
"Our commitment to bridging the urban-rural divide was evident in the successful execution of 275 infrastructure projects supported by both Sarawak and Federal allocations.
"These projects include the construction of roads, bridges, utility infrastructure, and initiatives aimed at poverty eradication," he said in a statement on Wednesday.
Across the three Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) – the Upper Rajang Development Agency (URDA), Highland Development Agency (HDA), and Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA)- Datuk Ismawi noted that RECODA successfully completed 138 projects, with 64 projects currently under implementation and 45 in design, planning, or tendering stages.
Additionally, among the Federal projects in the SCORE region, 16 have been completed, 9 are under implementation, and 1 is in the detailed design phase.
He noted that the SCORE region has received a total approved investment of RM123 billion this year, with projected job creation of 53,829. In Bintulu, The Samalaju Industrial Park (SIP) remains a cornerstone of score’s economic achievements, drawing global investments, particularly in the steel and solar manufacturing industry.
This year, SIP has 14 approved investors, with a total approved investment of RM51.6 billion, underscoring Sarawak’s status as a power-rich investment destination.
"We are also proud that our work aligns seamlessly with Sarawak’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Sustainable Sarawak Blueprint, reaffirming our commitment to long-term sustainability and prosperity for the region," Datuk Ismawi added.
"The coming year promises exciting developments, with transformative infrastructure projects on the horizon.
"Among these are the Northern Coastal Highway (NCH) in Limbang and Lawas; roads connecting Miri-Marudi, Marudi-Mulu, and Long Panai-Long Lama (MMMLL); and Phase 1 of the New Lawas Airport - all scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2025.
"These projects will bring Sarawak closer to achieving a comprehensive road network, ensuring better connectivity for communities in the interior and unlocking new opportunities for growth and development.
"As we step into 2025, let us carry forward the momentum we have built together, embracing new challenges and opportunities with the same determination and shared vision that have brought us this far.
"Together, we will shape a brighter, more sustainable future for Sarawak."-UKASnews
