BINTULU – Pertama Ferroalloys Sdn Bhd, a key player in Sarawak’s heavy industry sector, continues to reinforce its commitment to sustainable and inclusive economic development from its base in the Samalaju Industrial Park.
The company, operational since 2010, has emerged as a significant employer in the region, providing jobs for 732 individuals, over 90% of whom are local Sarawakians.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan highlighted these achievements during a recent visit to the facility, noting plans to increase female workforce participation from 10% to 30%.
The firm’s initiatives extend beyond employment, encompassing skill development programs and community projects designed to benefit surrounding areas.
Awang Tengah, who also serves as Minister of International Trade, Industry, and Investment, praised Pertama Ferroalloys for its efforts to enhance operational sustainability, including exploring the use of by-products for cement production and expanding its product portfolio to include manganese and ferro silicon, critical materials for global steel production.
Pertama Ferroalloys leverages Sarawak’s renewable hydropower resources to produce ferroalloys, aligning with global green manufacturing trends. The company is investing RM800 million to diversify its output and is studying capacity expansion to meet growing international demand.
Additionally, it has committed RM200 million to develop commercial bamboo plantations under a memorandum of understanding with the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC). This project aims to reduce reliance on imported resources like wood charcoal and support value-added industries.
The Samalaju Industrial Park, where Pertama Ferroalloys is located, is a hub for energy-intensive industries supported by the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).
The park features modern infrastructure, including a deep-sea port capable of handling 18 million tonnes of cargo annually, facilitating efficient trade linkages.
Sarawak’s manufacturing sector, contributing 26.3% to the state’s GDP, continues to attract investments, with RM22.8 billion approved in 2023 alone.
