Big Potential For Crystal Manufacturing In Sabah

The crystal manufacturing industry has the potential to make it big in Sabah as the state is rich in silica sand, the raw material used to make glass products.

Sabah Industrial Development Minister Datuk Ewon Ebin said there were six locations in Sabah where silica sand can be found, with an estimated reserve of 50 million tonnes.

"However, the silica sand in Sabah has not been fully exploited and there are currently no processing activities being carried out," he said.

He was speaking to reporters after launching the glass carving training programme under the Sabah small-and-medium industry programme.

It is jointly organised by Sirim Bhd and the Sabah Industrial Development Ministry, at Rembau Crystal Sdn Bhd, here Monday.

Also present were State Industrial Development Assistant Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid, Sirim Bhd President and Chief Executive Yahaya Ahmad and Rembau Crystal Sdn Bhd Manager Hanif Maulud.

Ewon said the new industry could be a catalyst for the development of supporting industries in the state such as tourism.

He said Sabah targeted 2.7 million tourists this year and the crystal products would present business opportunities to new entrepreneurs in the state.

"By producing various quality crystal products, we will also have the opportunity to export them," he said.

Ewon said the state government had allocated RM5 million to develop IKS through the glass, cosmetic, foundry and mechanism programmes.

On the glass carving training, he said, for a start five participants from Sabah were chosen to undergo a three-month training at Rembau Crystal Sdn Bhd, who would then further their training in Kota Kinabalu.

"With our plans and help from Sirim Bhd, we hope to make Sabah the third location, after Langkawi and Rembau, to expand the local crystal industry," he said.