Australian Producers Eye Poultry Venture in Malaysia
KOTA BAHARU, Nov 20 (Bernama) — Two large scale chicken producers from
Australia are exploring the East Coast Economic Region (ECER)’s
potential as poultry hub.
These expressions of interest by foreign agri-business players
were directed to RAM Holdings’ research unit, RAM Consultancy Services
Sdn Bhd.
According to RAM Holdings’ chief economist Dr Yeah Kim Leng, these
potential Australian investors are encouraged by the region’s potential
as platform to tap into the halal market.
Yeah said in a statement that the Australian firms were gathering
information on the project viability and the cost-effectiveness of
doing chicken farming here.
He said the ECER held vast potential for them as the government
was promoting integrated chicken farming and targeting to boost chicken
production in the region by 35 per cent in 2010.
“Investment in poultry within the ECER makes sense due to
relatively cheap cost of land and labour compared to the West Coast
where land is becoming expensive because of rapid industrialisation and
development,” Yeah said.
He said the move to raise chicken production was timely and that
the 35 per cent target was achievable, which will increase from 129,740
metric tonnes in 2005 to 175,370 metric tonnes in 2010.
Yeah said the planned upgrade in infrastructure in the region,
including building of new highways and rail, was another plus point in
providing more cost-effective transportation for chicken production.
“The government needs to attract private sector involvement and
secure new players for chicken farming here. As such, these potential
Australian investor should be encouraged to gather information on the
ECER’s investment possibilities” he said.
“The goverment should also use this opportunity in the ECER to tap
into the halal market that includes not just the Middle East market but
also big markets like China and India where there is relatively
sizeable Muslim community,” he added.
