Better if limestone is locally processed

PETALING JAYA: The country will benefit economically if it stops the export of raw limestone, said the chairman of a local company involved in limestone processing, according to an entrepreuneur.

Amman Jaya Minerals (M) Sdn Bhd chairman Datuk Ramly Ahmad said apart from the revenue potential, encouraging a local processing industry would create employment opportunities for locals.

Ramly said it would also contribute towards other industries that use limestone as their ingredients.

“Foreigners are the biggest beneficiaries now as they take away raw limestone for paper, paint and other related industries abroad and they are doing it at our expense,” he said when commenting on The Star article that billions are lost due to the export of the raw limestone from the country.

In its front-page report on Nov 3, it was also reported that Malaysia was the only country in the South-East Asia that allowed the export of raw limestone.

Ramly said incentives must be offered by the Government to locals who ventured into the limestone-processing industry.

He said Amman Jaya Minerals was the first fully local high-tech limestone processing plant in the country.

The plant, in Panchor Jaya, Seremban, is due to commence operations in January.

Ramly said the plant would produce ultra-fine calcium carbonate for the export market.

He said more than 100 people would be employed and the company’s product would be used in the manufacture of high grade paper.

Ramly said they had invested about RM30mil in the plant and faced a lot of challenges along the way.