A pilot training school is sometimes founded in CENTEXS Concrete

BETONG, 25 September: The Sarawak Government is expected to consider the proposal to establish a pilot training school at the Sarawak Centre of Excellence in Technology (CENTEXS) Betong as part of efforts to create a new economic sector.

Deputy Prime Minister of Sarawak, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embassy said it thus opened more job and business opportunities to the locals.

According to him, the matter has been discussed with CENTEXS who saw that Concrete had a conducive environment for conducting flight training.

"I've been talking to CENTEXS. Tomorrow I will submit an application to the Sarawak Prime Minister Datuk Patinji Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to set up a 'pilot school' so that we in Betong can produce pilots and also crew.

"I've been informed that the situation here is very convenient. CENTEXS have come and seen for themselves conditions conducive enough for training because there is not much movement of aircraft", he said.

He said that when he met TVS during the Sarawakku Sayang Program in Betong, today.

Uggah said that the development of aviation sector in Betong also has the potential to be extended to aircraft maintenance, repair and recovery (MRO) activities in future.

He said the development not only facilitates movement of goods, but also has the potential to be a catalyst for concrete economic transformation.

"Not just bringing goods, but bringing new opportunities. That's why I say it is one of the biggest changes that will mark a new leap forward for Betong's economy", he said.

According to Uggah, the Concrete economy has long relied heavily on traditional sectors including agriculture with the population cultivating crops such as palm oil and pepper.

In this regard, he said, the emergence of new economic sectors is essential to provide high-value employment opportunities, thereby helping to keep young people staying and building careers in Betong.

"Although we have strong people working like palm and pepper but that's not enough for them to stay in Concrete. We want these young people in Betong because we're going to have an industrial center too", he explained.

In addition, the development of industrial areas in Betong is expected to complement the economic ecosystem.

Meanwhile, Uggah hopes that the pilot training school could be established in Betong as its impact is not only focused on the aviation industry.

He said the presence of trainers and labour will increase demand for accommodation, food and various other services, thereby providing an economic boost to the local community.

"If there's a pilot school, they need to eat, they need shelter and they need some other facilities. A breakthrough from that sector will bring many opportunities.

"People can raise more chickens and cows and provide food. The economy can also diversify as the number of consumers and buyers increases", he said.

Meanwhile, Uggah said that the process related to certification of relevant facilities is now dependent on the certification body making an assessment of available facilities.

He hopes that the process can be completed as soon as possible to allow products from Concrete to be marketed more widely including overseas.

Potential products include agar as well as black and white pepper that are widely produced in the Concrete area.

According to him, the development of facilities and better logistics networks will allow local produce to penetrate wider markets, thus completing efforts to diversify the Concrete economy.