SWALLOW BIRD NEST INDUSTRY HAS HUGE POTENTIAL

KUANTAN, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- The swallow bird nest industry should be encouraged and assisted to become a new source of income for the country what with the economic slowdown.

Debating the state budget 2009 here today, Chang Hong Seong (BN-Teruntum) said the bird nest industry in Malaysia had become competitive with increasing demand annually.

"There were 36,000 swallow houses nationwide in 2006 and over 3,000 were in Pahang. Malaysia is the third world largest exporter of bird nest after Indonesia and Thailand with exports of RM12 billion annually."

Chang said the government should help the entrepreneurs as local authorities were no longer issuing licences for swallow bird nest houses and had to relocate to the outskirt and rural areas.

"The government must prepare suitable sites for the bird nest business as it not only generate income but also add value to properties and create job opportunities."

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ASSEMBLY-DEBATE (SWALLOW) 2 (LAST) KUANTAN

The assemblyman said demand for swallow bird nest was expected to increase following food promotion to the United States and other new markets.

"Report by the Wildlife Department that swallows do not carry any diseases means that it has huge income potential and cannot be ignored."

He said with proper planning, the swallow bird nest business could become an important source of income for the country.

The sitting continues tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA

Note: Swallow stated here mean swiflet or in malay 'walit'