The Sarawak state government is in discussions with the federal government to review the cabotage policy with an aim to facilitate trade in the state.

State Housing and Tourism Minister Abang Johari Openg said with the review, food-based products and materials could hopefully be transported directly to Sarawak without going through Port Klang.

The present process, he said, had contributed to the increase in prices of goods transported by sea.

“We have a lot of trade. We can import food directly from Guangzhou, Beijing and Hong Kong.

“Let’s say we have such ties with India, we can for instance, import onion directly from there and this will benefit the people in Sarawak,” he said while launching Sama Kampung KitchenWare Sdn Bhd in Kuching today.

Abang Johari said a flexible policy would encourage more entrepreneurs to engage in direct trade besides creating new food-based industry entrepreneurs.

Under the cabotage policy, ships transporting goods and passengers from one port or place to another within the country must be registered with Malaysia and possess a valid domestic shipping licence.

Meanwhile, Abang Johari, who will be defending his Satok seat, encouraged food-based local entrepreneurs to capitalise on the vast opportunities in the agro-based industry available in the state.

- Bernama