The Sungai Merah Heritage Walk over Sungai Seduan in Sibu. There are plans to open up eateries along the riverside to attract visitors.

SUNGAI Merah, an old bazaar area in Sibu, Sarawak is set to experience economic boom in four years.

Its proximity to Sungai Seduan, which takes on a reddish hue during low tide, is the reason the area was named such.

Sarawak Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Michael Tiang said there were plans to turn Sungai Seduan into a hotspot to boost economic activity in Sungai Merah.

“I plan to have eateries along the riverside which is near the Sungai Merah market,” he said at the ground-breaking event for the new RM4.55mil market.

The Pelawan assemblyman said the market, once completed, would help revive Sungai Merah.

“Next year, the riverside area will be developed with a mix of old and new shophouses to attract people,” he said.

“I think these changes will bring economic development to Sungai Merah.”

He said once completed the new double-storey market would be five times bigger than the old premises.

Sibu Municipal Council chairman Clarence Ting said the traders could move into the market by Chinese New Year of 2024.

“The project is finally kicking off after three years.

“The carpark will be at the basement while the upper floors will house market traders as well as those selling food, drinks and groceries,” he said, adding that the project planned in 2019 was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ting said the council’s decision to demolish the old market and build a new one was to cater to the growing population in Sungai Merah.