BELURAN (Bernama): The Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry is set to establish the fourth Pasar Tamu (Weekly Market) for Sabah in Beluran, about 235 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu.

       Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee (pic) said the existing market would be upgraded by Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority, (Fama) to benefit 170 traders and it was expected to be completed by mid-May at a cost of RM746,000 under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).

       "This Weekly Market will be able to give comfort to traders and consumers in the Beluran district.

       "Its administration will be handed to the Beluran District Council after the upgrading is completed," he said.

       He was speaking to reporters after launching the National Farmers Organisation (Nafas) Prihatin Peladang Programme here on Sunday (Oct 17).

       Earlier, Ronald performed the ground-breaking ceremony at the site of the market near the town of Beluran here.

       Ronald said the upgrading of the market would boost the direct involvement of farmers, producers and entrepreneurs in marketing agricultural produce and agro-based products.

       He said the move is expected to boost income and the market would simultaneously become an agrofood product market conduit to help the small entrepreneurs sell their own productsCool!.

       When met by Bernama, Fama director-general Datuk Zainal Abidin Yang Razalli said that to date, FAMA had built four Weekly Markets in Sabah worth RM3.2mil and five Weekly Markets in Sarawak at a cost of RM4.5mil.

       Fama found that the traders would be able to boost their sales by 30% with the upgrading of the Weekly Markets, Zainal Abidin added. - Bernama