PETROCHEMICAL HUB TO BE DEVELOPED ON 432 HA IN BINTULU

BINTULU, July 2  -- The Sarawak government has identified about 1,068 acres (432.2 ha) in Tanjung Kidurong here for the development of a petrochemical hub.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the site, located 15km north-east of the town centre here and about 36km from Samalaju Industrial Park, was deemed suitable for the hub considering its access to feedstock, being the landing point of offshore gas fields activities, and proximity to the existing gas pipelines. 

“Mass of activities such as ammonia/urea, LNG (liquefied natural gas) and gas to liquid (GtL) downstream industries are already present in Bintulu, coupled with the heavy industries in nearby Samalaju,” he said in a statement issued after visiting the site today.

According to him, the site is also close to the relevant infrastructure like the deep-sea port and inter-modal road links in Bintulu, as well as the new port currently being developed in Samalaju and the state's Economic Planning Unit (EPUS).

Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) is undertaking a joint study to come up with a masterplan for the hub.

“EPUS and Petronas are presently gathering information and engaging relevant potential investors and stakeholders to develop a comprehensive masterplan (for the hub),” he said.

Abang Johari said the petrochemical hub was expected to create 74,000 new jobs here and could potentially generate additional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of between RM16 billion and RM20 billion per annum to Sarawak. 

“This will allow Sarawak to add value its natural resources in line with the state’s aspiration to intensify the downstream activities in the oil and gas sector,” he added.

-- BERNAMA