Resource-based industrialisation - special focus on Sarawak

Abstract

The manufacturing sector has been assigned an important role in the economic growth and development of Malaysia. This is clearly reflected in both the Fifth Malaysia Plan (FMP) (1986 - 1990) and the Industrial Master Plan (IMP) (1986 - 1995). Growth and development strategies drawn. up under these plans were based on the strength and potentials of the country's resources. Our constraints being; small domestic market of approximately 16 million people, over-dependence on exports of a few commodities and a few manufactured goods, while our comparative advantages are clear, viz; abundant land, riches in a large variety of natural resources such as rubber, tropical hardwoods, palm oil, agricultural produce, petroleum, gas and basic metals plus an adequate pool of productive human resources. Thus, the basic thrust for the growth of the manufacturing sector is to increase the export of high value added manufactured products, to widen our industrial base and to promote further downstream processing of the country's natural resources.