KUCHING, April 16: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is opening Sarawak’s doors to international investors of high tech industries, saying the state government provides the best perks for them in this region.
Speaking during the opening of China-headquartered manufacturer LONGi (Kuching) Sdn Bhd (LONGi Kuching) at Sama Jaya High Tech Industrial Park here this morning, he said among the perks investors could enjoy in Sarawak was its cheap renewable energy which would greatly reduce production costs especially for energy-intensive manufacturing.
“We provide you with the best facilities we have as well as some prerequisites including the cheap price of our renewable hydropower energy.
“This would help you reduce production costs and increase margins. When your margin is high, you can expand your business,” he said.
Abang Johari gave assurance that the state government was committed in taking care of these investors and providing the best facilities available, as long as they also help contribute to the state’s development.
“Like the establishment of LONGi Kuching at Sama Jaya High Tech Park here, we are glad that you have chosen Sarawak as your base for this region.
“Apart from earning revenue and enjoying our cheap renewable energy, you have also provided jobs and technologies as well as high tech expertise to Sarawak, helping to drive it towards the digital economy initiative as well as (the goal of) a high income state by 2030,” said Abang Johari.
He said the state government was also making efforts to provide more facilities that would help these international investors, such as establishing free trade zones at air and sea ports throughout the state.
“This is a win-win situation for both us and the investors,” Abang Johari said.
In relation to that, he said the state government was also in the midst of upgrading its physical infrastructure and land connectivity with the construction of the Pan Borneo Highway and the new Coastal Highway, as well as increasing the state’s air connectivity not only domestically but also internationally.
Abang Johari revealed that the state government has been practising friendly business policies to foreign investors and would continue to do so.
He added that for the past five years Sarawak was ranked top three in Malaysia as a favoured investment destination, with investments amounting to about RM45.3 billion.
Before concluding his speech, Abang Johari challenged LONGi Kuching to come up with innovative ideas to help power up the state grid or provide electricity to the state’s rural areas.
Among the ideas he proposed was for LONGi Kuching to device with a floating solar farm at existing dam reservoirs in the state, as well as supply solar panels for the state’s ongoing programme in providing alternative sources of electricity to the rural areas.
“This is just an idea,” he said.
LONGi Kuching manufactures high-efficiency mono-crystalline solar cells and modules. — DayakDaily
