09 October 2002 (Business Times) - SABAH’S plantation sector is capable ofproducing 10 million tonnes of biomass a year.Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Chong Kah Kiat said as such, the state’sprivate sector should consider exploiting the economic potential of thisorganic waste.“Biomass can be used as raw material for medium density particle boards,pulp and paper and decomposed organic fetiliser. It can also be used togenerate electricity,” he said at a luncheon hosted by the MalaysianInternational Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) Sabah branch inKota Kinabalu yesterday.He also said apart from just producing cooking oil from palm oil,manufacturers must explore opportunities in producing confectionary fats,creamers, emulsifiers and non-food products such as oleo-chemicals,bio-fuels, detergents, personal care items and lubricants.Chong said Sabah is strategically located to tap the consumer markets inBrunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.He said the state has the potential to become a centre to manufactureproducts such as electrical items.“Our small and medium industries have the capacity to match the needs ofthe spending power of the 60 million population in the region.“Manufacturers would not face problems in shipping the manufactured itemsconsidering Sabah location and the volume of business they could tap.”