BIG POTENTIAL FOR CRYSTAL MANUFACTURING IN SABAH

REMBAU (Malaysia), Feb 3 (Bernama) -- The crystal manufacturing industry has
the potential to make it big in East Malaysia state of Sabah as the state is
rich in silica sand, the raw material used to make glass products.

Sabah Industrial Development Minister Ewon Ebin said there were six
locations in Sabah where silica sand can be found, with an estimated reserve of
50 million tonnes.

"However, the silica sand in Sabah has not been fully exploited and there
are currently no processing activities being carried out," he said.

He was speaking to reporters after launching the glass carving training
programme under the Sabah small-and-medium industry programme.

It is jointly organised by Sirim Bhd and the Sabah Industrial Development
Ministry, at Rembau Crystal Sdn Bhd, in this southern town Monday.

Also present were State Industrial Development Assistant Minister Jainab
Ahmad Ayid, Sirim Bhd President and Chief Executive Yahaya Ahmad and Rembau
Crystal Sdn Bhd Manager Hanif Maulud.

Ewon said the new industry could be a catalyst for the development of
supporting industries in the state such as tourism.

He said Sabah targeted 2.7 million tourists this year and the crystal
products would present business opportunities to new entrepreneurs in the state.

"By producing various quality crystal products, we will also have the
opportunity to export them," he said.

Ewon said the state government had allocated RM5 million to develop IKS
through the glass, cosmetic, foundry and mechanism programmes. (US$1=RM3.61)

On the glass carving training, he said, for a start five participants from
Sabah were chosen to undergo a three-month training at Rembau Crystal Sdn Bhd,
who would then further their training in Kota Kinabalu.

"With our plans and help from Sirim Bhd, we hope to make Sabah the third
location, after northern island resort of Langkawi and Rembau, to expand the
local crystal industry," he said.
-- BERNAMA