KUCHING, Oct 24: The Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Bhd (EXIM Bank) recently entered into an agreement with Sarawak Medical Innovation Technology Hub (SMITH), sealing the support towards making the State a revolutionary healthcare hub in the region.
Deputy Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment Datuk Malcolm Mussen Lamoh witnessed the signing of the agreement between both parties recently.
Also present was Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain.
Formed by SEDC, SMITH is a medical hub, featuring medical device manufacturing and technology commercialisation categorised into several sectors.
According to a media release, the first phase of SMITH will be a medical glove manufacturing facility located within SEDC Petchem Industrial Park, a 36-acre land, about 10km away from Bintulu Port, in Tanjung Kidurong, Sarawak.
On March 7, 2022, Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (Education and Innovation) Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee represented Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to officiate the groundbreaking ceremony of the SMITH in Tanjung Kidurong, Bintulu.
The glove manufacturing plant is broken down to two phases, namely Phase 1 — 4 Production Lines (104 million pieces/month) and Phase II — 4 Production Lines (104 million pieces/month).
EXIM Bank president and chief executive officer Arshad Ismail said the partnership with the bank, responsible for delivering effective financing and credit takaful solutions for cross-border ventures, shows the confidence given to the SMITH project.
“The partnership between EXIM Bank and SMITH is testament to our commitment to fostering innovation and progress in healthcare.
“Together, we provide the financial support and security needed to propel the future of medical technology, ensuring that innovation knows no bounds and unemployment is addressed,” he said.
Meanwhile, SMITH chief executive officer Robert Hardin said with the level of support, the project will bring growth not only to Tanjung Kidurong in Bintulu but also Sarawak and Malaysia as a whole with more employment opportunities coming as the project progress.
“This project is expected to create more employment opportunities for Sarawakians, stimulating economic growth and lowering the unemployment rate in the State, while putting Sarawak as one of the global players in the pharmaceutical industry.
“Another reason for this project is also to reduce the over-reliance on importing pharmaceutical equipment and medicines,” he emphasised.
