SIBU: The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) has become the first council in Sarawak to be asked by the state government to implement a pilot project to take over the role of the district office in business registration and licensing through the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC).
SMC chairman Councillor Clarence Ting Ing Horh, when chairing the Council’s Full Meeting at its chamber room, said the pilot project will begin on August 1, involving collaboration between several agencies including the SMC, district offices, treasury offices and UTC.
“This is a great recognition for SMC as we are the first council chosen by the state government to implement this project,” he said.
‘”Therefore, it is important for us to show a good example of implementation so that other councils can take over this role in the future.”
According to Ting, for now further details such as revenue collection and coordination of roles between agencies are still under discussion.
However, business registration and licensing applications will begin to be channelled through UTC as a one-stop centre from August 1.
“Applications will be coordinated by the council, while business registration is still processed by the district office,” he added.
“Trading licences are processed by the treasury office, and operating licences are processed as usual by SMC.”
He also informed that a test run session is being implemented at UTC Sibu to train the staff involved before the official implementation.
This pilot project also involves the Sibu Rural District Council (SRDCS) and the Kanowit District Council (KDC), but does not include Selangau.
Members of the council are also invited to attend UTC on the implementation day to witness the initial implementation of this project.
This initiative, Ting, reiterated, is a strategic step by the Sarawak Government in ensuring a more efficient, fast and investor-friendly administrative system, thus increasing the state’s competitiveness as a major investment destination.
“This project also aims to streamline the business registration process through a one-stop center or One Facilitation Centre, where only one agency will manage the entire process – from business name registration, business licence application and operating licence,” he added.
SMC Deputy Chairman, Councilor Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar Roseley, and SMC Acting Secretary, Sait Enggang, were among those present.
SMC chairman Councillor Clarence Ting Ing Horh, when chairing the Council’s Full Meeting at its chamber room, said the pilot project will begin on August 1, involving collaboration between several agencies including the SMC, district offices, treasury offices and UTC.
“This is a great recognition for SMC as we are the first council chosen by the state government to implement this project,” he said.
‘”Therefore, it is important for us to show a good example of implementation so that other councils can take over this role in the future.”
According to Ting, for now further details such as revenue collection and coordination of roles between agencies are still under discussion.
However, business registration and licensing applications will begin to be channelled through UTC as a one-stop centre from August 1.
“Applications will be coordinated by the council, while business registration is still processed by the district office,” he added.
“Trading licences are processed by the treasury office, and operating licences are processed as usual by SMC.”
He also informed that a test run session is being implemented at UTC Sibu to train the staff involved before the official implementation.
This pilot project also involves the Sibu Rural District Council (SRDCS) and the Kanowit District Council (KDC), but does not include Selangau.
Members of the council are also invited to attend UTC on the implementation day to witness the initial implementation of this project.
This initiative, Ting, reiterated, is a strategic step by the Sarawak Government in ensuring a more efficient, fast and investor-friendly administrative system, thus increasing the state’s competitiveness as a major investment destination.
“This project also aims to streamline the business registration process through a one-stop center or One Facilitation Centre, where only one agency will manage the entire process – from business name registration, business licence application and operating licence,” he added.
SMC Deputy Chairman, Councilor Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar Roseley, and SMC Acting Secretary, Sait Enggang, were among those present.