KUCHING, Oct 19 — The proposed New Kuching International Airport (NKIA) at Tanjung Embang could contribute approximately RM1.8 billion annually to Sarawak’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2050 under a high-growth scenario.
Sarawak Minister for Transport Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said the projection was among the findings of a feasibility study conducted by Netherlands Airport Consultants (NACO).
“The study also projected that NKIA could support approximately 37,919 full-time equivalent jobs across the wider economy. During construction, Phase One could support around 9,393 jobs annually over the projected six-year construction period.
“NKIA has the potential to create wider economic opportunities in tourism, aviation services and supporting industries, including air cargo, aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), aircraft parts manufacturing, as well as aerotropolis development,” he said.
