Latest news with #SAIP
Daily Express
11-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Phoong sees chance for Sabah to get ahead through new microalgae tech
Published on: Friday, July 11, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 11, 2025 By: Wu Vui Tek Text Size: Phoong (centre) with both Dr Yaakub (right) and Tham (left) showing their signed documents as other guests look on. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah can leap ahead by embracing technology and innovation to produce microalgae, said Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe. 'Microalgae can be used to develop the biomass industry and produce sustainable energy, which aligns with Sabah's green agenda,' said Phoong. 'We've been informed that under this initiative, we can develop biofuel, bioplastic, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). 'All these have strong creative economic potential for Sabah,' said Phoong after witnessing a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony between Sabah Agro-Industrial Precinct (SAIP) Sdn Bhd and CCE Power Holdings Sdn Bhd at a hotel. SAIP was represented by Chairman of University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF) and Board of Director Datuk Dr Mohd Yaakub Johari, while Chief Executive Officer and Founder Tham Weng Kong signed for CCE Power, which is based in Negeri Sembilan with partnering companies from Japan. Phoong said SAIP, which was established 17 years ago, must focus on applying innovation and technology to further propel Sabah's industrialisation. Although Sarawak is developing its algae cultivation industry, they are using a photosynthesis-type system compared to the system to be used by Sabah, which will use the heterotrophic system, he said. 'Sabah will be using the heterotrophic technology which doesn't need sunlight to grow these microalgae,' he said. 'I see this as a very good opportunity for Sabah to get involved in developing new high-value manufacturing activities in Sabah. 'So that our young people can get high-skilled jobs and benefit from technology transfer. 'Imagine if we succeed in building a microalgae manufacturing hub in Sabah, many job opportunities will be created,' he said. Tham said the heterotrophic technology is a closed system with a shorter cycle, as only five to seven days are needed to harvest, with a yield volume of 60 per cent. 'We will start with 100 hectares first, just like Sarawak did, before expanding to 1,000 hectares. They did it with their Japanese partners. 'Although our development mechanism differs, the goal is the same. If successful, we can scale up to commercial levels.' The algae cultivation initiative to be carried out by CCE Power is the first private project in SAIP, Kimanis. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
New Straits Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Sabah microalgae MoU marks significant step towards green economy
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is taking a step towards a green economy by growing microalgae to produce biofuel, bioplastics and other sustainable products. Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe said the initiative could help create new industries, attract investment and generate high-skilled jobs in the state. "Microalgae has strong economic potential. It can support the biomass industry and be used to produce green energy, which fits well with Sabah's focus on sustainability," he said after witnessing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between Sabah Agro-Industrial Precinct (SAIP) Sdn Bhd and CCE Power Holdings Sdn Bhd here today. SAIP was represented by its board director Datuk Dr Mohd Yaakub Johari, who is also University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF) chairman, whereas CCE Power founder and chief executive officer Tham Weng Kong signed on behalf of the company, which is based in Negri Sembilan and working with partner companies from Japan. The MOU signified the beginning of a powerful collaboration to produce microalgae biomass as feedstock for the largest biomass power plant in the world. Phoong, who is also SAIP's chairman, said his company was established 17 years ago to drive innovation. He said Sabah could potentially be positioned as one of the most prominent algae industry hubs in the country. He said Sabah must be ambitious in pursuing innovative solutions and actively seek new ideas to address the state's current challenges. "We must use innovation, use technology to leapfrog Sabah's development, and bring in new technology and high-skilled manufacturing activities so that our young people can find skilled jobs, and technology transfer can take place. "Imagine if we successfully build a microalgae and biomass manufacturing hub in Sabah, many job opportunities could be created," he said. Phoong said although neighbouring Sarawak was developing its own algae cultivation industry, they were using a photosynthesis-based system, which was different from the method that would be used in Sabah. "Sabah will be using heterotrophic technology, which doesn't require sunlight to grow microalgae," he said, adding that this presented a very good opportunity to develop new high-value manufacturing industries. Phoong added that although the development mechanisms differed, the goal remained the same. "We will start with 100 hectares first, just like Sarawak did, before expanding to 1,000 hectares. They did it with their Japanese partners." Tham of CCE Power explained that heterotrophic technology is a closed-tank system with a shorter production cycle, requiring only five to seven days to harvest, with a yield of nearly 60 per cent. "This will help develop Sabah and support its progress towards commercialisation and prove that it can benefit both the economy and environment," he said.
Asharq Al-Awsat
09-07-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Fashion Commission, SAIP Launch Intellectual Property Protection Guide
The Fashion Commission launched the Intellectual Property and Designers' Rights Protection Guide for the fashion industry, in collaboration with the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP). The initiative builds on the commission's role in empowering the fashion sector, supporting its community, and fostering a developmental environment that addresses all stages of the product value chain. The guide aims to serve as a reference for designers to benefit from intellectual-property laws by protecting and registering their innovative designs, thereby enabling them to obtain legal protection. It also seeks to promote a culture of creativity and encourage designers to develop new creations while safeguarding their rights against replication or intellectual theft. The Fashion Commission offers the protection guide to cover four key areas within the fashion industry: patents, which include new inventions and technological advancements in fabric and garment production; industrial designs, which pertain to aesthetic elements and decorative patterns that give fashion items their unique appearance; copyright, which covers artistic and creative outputs such as illustrations, patterns, and designs; and trademarks, which include logos and symbols that distinguish a product in the marketplace. The Fashion Commission said designers and brand owners can access the Intellectual Property and Designers' Rights Protection Guide through the commission's official website. Moreover, SAIP receives public rights complaints via its website from rights holders or their representatives regarding violations of works protected under the Copyright Protection Law and the Trademarks Law.
Daily Record
30-06-2025
- Daily Record
If you're thinking of buying alcohol for someone under 18, It'll Cost You. You could face a £5000 fine, prison
As the school holidays come around once again, the streets and shops are likely to be filled with young people looking for ways to keep themselves entertained. For some under 18s, that means finding ways to consume alcohol. One of the most common tactics used by young people to access alcohol is by asking an adult to buy it for them. Known as a proxy purchase, it's an offence in Scotland for an adult to buy, or attempt to buy, alcohol for someone who is under the age of 18. For those who do it, the consequences are severe. Any adult who commits this offence can face a fine of up to £5,000, a prison sentence of up to three months, or both. The It'll Cost You campaign is being delivered in partnership with Police Scotland, the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership (SAIP), and Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP) and is supported by the Scottish Government. It aims to protect children from harm, reduce crime and antisocial behaviour, and make communities safer. The SAIP is a platform for the Scottish alcohol industry to support, devise, and deliver initiatives that contribute towards the promotion of responsible consumption and tackle harmful drinking. Think before you buy that drink When outside a shop, someone under the age of 18 could stop and ask you to go inside and buy them alcohol. If you don't want to risk getting a fine of up to £5,000, a prison sentence of up to three months, or both, then it's important to remember to do these three things if you are approached: Politely say no to the young person who has approached you Let the shop manager know immediately Inform the police by calling 101, giving them details of when and where you were asked It is also important to remember that detecting a proxy purchase is not easy. Retailers are the first line of defence in tackling this issue, and it can place staff in a vulnerable position, being subject to abuse when refusing a sale. The It'll Cost You campaign is full of advice and resources. It provides retailers with guidance on detecting a proxy purchase and highlights the risks for young people who may inadvertently place themselves in dangerous or vulnerable situations by asking. Shop only for yourself Those approached to make a proxy purchase are generally targeted around shops that sell alcohol. That's why the important It'll Cost You campaign messages are delivered in-store via posters, door and window stickers, digital displays, and in-store radio adverts. Of course, no modern-day campaign would be complete without a social media element with essential campaign messages being shared on Facebook and Instagram. If all that doesn't get the message across clearly enough, another vital part of the It'll Cost You campaign is having feet on the streets. Police Scotland Youth Volunteers can be seen in-store and at local events supporting the campaign by handing out leaflets and putting down pavement stencils with the campaign message. Based on the success of the previous year's campaign, Police Scotland, SAIP, and CAP hope that the important messages will deter young people from asking over 18s to make a proxy purchase and prevent adults from making one. Remember, if you buy alcohol for someone under the age of 18, It'll Cost You.
The Hindu
07-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
TNAU has disbursed ₹8.98 crore as grants to 85 agri startups since 2019
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, has disbursed grants to the extent of 8.98 crore to 85 agri startups since 2019, under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana - Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sectors Rejuvenation (RKVY-RAFTAAR), a flagship scheme of the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare to strengthen infrastructure in Agriculture and Allied sectors. The allied sectors constitute Crop Husbandry (including Horticulture), Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Dairy Development, Agricultural Research and Education, Forestry and Wildlife, Plantation and Agricultural Marketing, Food Storage and Warehousing, Soil and Water Conservation, Agricultural Financial Institutions, other Agricultural Programmes and Cooperation. TNAU is one among 24 R-ABIs (RKVY-RAFTAAR Agribusiness Incubators) identified by the Central Government for fostering Agripreneurship and Agri-Business ecosystem across the country, through facilitating financial aid to potential agri startups and nurturing a system of business incubation. The TNAU has been conducting two programmes under this scheme: Agripreneurship Orientation Programme (AOP) for a grant up to ₹5 lakh, and Startup Agribusiness Incubation Programme (SAIP) ) for a grant of up to ₹25 lakh. Earlier this week, R. Thamizh Vendan, Registrar and Acting Vice-Chancellor, TNAU, disbursed ₹35 lakh for 10 SAIP Cohort III Grantees as third instalment, ₹17.80 lakh for 11 AOP Cohort IV Grantees as second instalment and ₹35.40 lakh for 13 AOP Cohort V Grantees as first instalment. In total, ₹88.20 lakh were given to 34 grantees of SAIP cohort III and AOP cohort IV and V. The grant, Prof. Vendhan said, has been effective in retaining the youth in agriculture and to support agri-based startups to innovate and implement new technologies for sustainable and profitable agribusiness. The grantees have planned to utilise the grant for development of products and upscaling their startups in agri and allied ventures, E. Somasundaram, Director, Agri-Business Development, TNAU, said. RKVY-RAFTAAR, sources added, is being implemented as a Centrally-sponsored scheme in the ratio of 60:40 (Government of India and State Share respectively) except in case of north-eastern and hilly States where the sharing pattern is 90:10. For union territories, the grant is 100% as Central share.
