KOTA BHARU, The National Kenaf and Tobacco Board (LKTN) is setting up a plant for processing non-woven thermobonding kenaf fibre to enhance the value-added of the fibre into semi-finished non-woven products. Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities Datuk Chan Foong Hin said the plant, located in Saujana, Setiu in Terengganu, covers an area of five acres, with the building itself spanning 2,376 square metres. He said the total cost of the project is RM25 million, which includes the construction of the building and the provision of machinery developed under the 10th and 11th Malaysia Plans. 'The allocation for the construction of this plant aims to enhance the value chain and create demand for kenaf-based products. 'This plant will be capable of producing 2,400 metric tonnes of non-woven thermobonding kenaf fibre annually, with a value of between RM16 million and RM18 million for both export and domestic markets,' he told reporters after officiating LKTN's monthly assembly and excellence service award s in Kubang Kerian, near here today. Chan also said that the plant supports the development of kenaf cultivation over 1,000 hectares in the surrounding areas, involving smallholders in Kelantan and Terengganu. Source: BERNAMA News Agency