KOTA SAMARAHAN – Sarawak is looking to strengthen the commercial potential of its biodiversity by expanding research and development activities and creating clearer pathways for scientific discoveries to become high-value products.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg said the State’s approach was moving beyond conservation towards building a research and commercialisation ecosystem that could connect scientific institutions with industry.
He said the Sarawak Bio-Industrial Park (SBP) would be an important part of that effort by helping bridge the gap between laboratory research and commercial production. The initiative is intended to provide a route for discoveries to progress towards products with potential applications in international markets.
The Premier highlighted the role of the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre in investigating biological compounds found within the State’s natural resources. Such research, he said, could help identify substances with potential uses across a range of industries.
“The only thing is for you to explore the different compounds in plants and extract those compounds for other products that can be used by human beings,” he said.
The focus, however, is not simply on expanding scientific research. The Premier said greater attention should also be given to translating research findings into practical applications, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, wellness, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Research into beneficial bacteria and naturally occurring compounds was cited as one area with potential for further development. According to the Premier, Sarawak’s biodiversity could provide opportunities to develop wellness products alongside cosmetics and pharmaceutical applications.
“If you have that positive bacteria, I am sure we have many resources in our biodiversity that can be transformed into wellness products, apart from cosmetics and pharmaceuticals,” he said.
The approach could also affect how Sarawak captures economic value from its natural resources. Rather than concentrating primarily on the supply of raw biological materials to outside markets, the State is seeking to strengthen its capacity to develop knowledge, intellectual property and commercially viable products locally.
Such a model would place research and innovation more closely alongside industrial development. It would also require stronger links between researchers, institutions and companies so that discoveries can move beyond the research stage and towards applications that meet market needs.
The Premier further stressed the importance of reinvesting economic gains into research and development. He said continued investment in scientific capabilities would be necessary if Sarawak was to build a stronger position in emerging areas of the global economy.
The emphasis on research also reflects a broader ambition to make biodiversity an economic asset while retaining its scientific and conservation value. Developing products from biological compounds requires research into their properties and potential uses before they can be considered for wider commercial applications.
For Sarawak, the proposed connection between biodiversity research and industrial activity could therefore provide a basis for developing new areas of economic activity. The emphasis is on creating greater value from knowledge and innovation rather than relying solely on the extraction or export of biological resources.
“Let us become a player in the new economy,” the Premier said, underlining the importance of research, technology and innovation to Sarawak’s next stage of economic development.
The direction places scientific research at the centre of efforts to diversify the State’s economy. By linking biodiversity studies with commercialisation, Sarawak aims to create opportunities for discoveries made locally to contribute to products and industries with value beyond the State.
