KOTA KINABALU: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will work with the Sabah government to create more employment opportunities while sustaining the state’s natural resources.
UNDP resident representative of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Niloy Banerjee said funding and experts from the United Nations would be included in its future plans.
“We are trying to bring in between US$15 million (RM62.12 million) and US$16 million over the next four years.
“This is for area-based programmes on conservation, strengthening local government and (creating) jobs, as well as youth entrepreneurship,” he said after a courtesy visit to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal at the Sabah Administrative Centre here.
The amount of US$15 million is to be divided between Sabah and Sarawak.
Banerjee said Sabah was blessed with natural resources which could be used to create sustainable or green job opportunities for locals.
“We have precious biodiversity and marine resources and have to be careful with jobs and development to ensure they do not destroy natural resources.
“It is a question of political leadership and also good management,” he said, adding that Sabah under the leadership of Shafie had a clear vision that could attract more investments into the state.
He said UNDP had been working extensively on conservation and biodiversity that engaged more communities and research.
Banerjee said the team had also worked with local varsities for research on undocumented people in Sabah.
“The research has yet to be completed and it is hard to do.
“We have been conducting about seven pilot projects.
“When we have it (the data), we will study it and decide the next course of action,” he said.