KUCHING: The proposed development of the New Kuching International Airport (NKIA) at Tanjung Embang is expected to contribute RM1.8 billion annually to Sarawak’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2050, while creating tens of thousands of jobs.

Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said the project was a strategic long-term investment planned for future generations, which would strengthen the aviation, tourism and logistics sectors, as well as drive the state’s economic growth.

“We are not building this solely for the next election. We are planning for future generations,” he said.

He was delivering his ministry’s winding-up speech at the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly Sitting here on Monday.

He said a feasibility study projected that NKIA would support 37,919 full-time equivalent jobs across various economic sectors.

He added that the airport’s first construction phase had the potential to generate approximately 9,393 jobs annually throughout the six-year construction period.

In addition, increased passenger traffic was expected to generate RM3.99 billion in tourism receipts by 2050.

The project also has the potential to spur the development of the air cargo industry, aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), aircraft parts manufacturing and an airport city (aerotropolis).

Dato Sri Lee further explained that the scope and implementation structure of NKIA would be assessed based on market demand, technical requirements, regulatory compliance and financial viability.

He said financing options under consideration included public-private partnerships (PPP), private finance initiatives (PFI) and joint ventures (JV).

In this regard, he clarified that the development of NKIA would not necessarily depend entirely on funding from the Sarawak Government. -UKASnews

Prepared by: Nur Marisa
Photo: Hazrin Sunaini
Translator: Uilson Ng