November 21, 2007

Australian producers eye east coast poultry venture

Two of Australia's large-scale chicken producers expressed interest on the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) as poultry hub.

RAM Consultancy Services Sdn Bhd reported that Australian firms were gathering information on the project viability and the cost-effectiveness of chicken farming in ECER.

RAM's chief economist, Dr. Yeah Kim Leng, said the investors were encouraged to tap the region's halal market.

ECER offers vast potential as the government was promoting integrated chicken farming to boost chicken production by 35 percent in 2010. From 129,740 metric tonnes in 2005, the government seeks to achieve 175,370 metric tonnes in 2010.

Yeah also pointed that poultry investment within ECER is a wise move due to relatively cheap cost of land and labour compared to the West Coast.

Upgrade of infrastructure in the region and building of new highways and rail will spell more cost-effective transportation for chicken production.

RAM emphasized the need to attract more investors and secure new players in ECER's chicken farming.