KUCHING, Feb 23: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng encourages Singapore and Kuching business owners to explore cooperation in renewable energy, carbon storage, agriculture, and tourism in Sarawak, in addition to the conventional areas of cooperation in trade and investment.
Wee emphasised that doing so would establish partnerships that advance the interests of both countries and are mutually beneficial.
“Sarawak and Singapore can be considered sister-brother, as the two places previously worked together to form Malaysia, but Singapore later withdrew from Malaysia.
“And now, despite Singapore and Sarawak’s efforts to promote trade and investment and other traditional areas of cooperation, there are many opportunities to focus on closer cooperation in new areas such as renewable green energy, carbon storage, agriculture, and tourism in Sarawak.
“I encourage all interested parties to explore cooperation in these areas in order to form partnerships that are mutually beneficial and advance the interests of both nations,” he said during the ‘The Bosses Network Singapore Business Networking Dinner’, which was held last night (Feb 22) at a restaurant here.
He said that the Singapore and Sarawak governments’ collaboration to accelerate green energy cooperation, which is also a priority for both, now encompasses many new areas of cooperation, including innovation, infrastructure, and digital.
As Kuching has been designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2021, Wee also encouraged food lovers to visit Sarawak if they want to explore and experience wonderful cuisine.
“Singaporean visitors can also come for a culinary experience that will give you a unique culinary tourism experience while gaining insight into the goodwill culture and lifestyle of the Sarawakians, thanks to its rich cultural and heritage features, unique specialty stores, markets selling local produce, cultural events, and weekend farmers’ bazaars,” he added.
Moreover, the MBKS mayor highlighted that, given Singapore’s close proximity to Kuching, Sarawak is a worthy new location for Singaporean tourists and investors to invest in.
“The Sarawak government has also opened the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office (Statos) in Singapore to strengthen tourism and cooperation with Singapore, through which Sarawak businesses can market their local products in Singapore, and Singapore businesses can use this platform to meet (with their Sarawakian counterparts) and obtain business opportunities.
“I hope that Singaporean business owners can find areas in Sarawak that are worthy of their excitement and interest to invest in, or even visit Kuching for tourism and vacation,” he said.
Among those present at the event were deputy State Secretary Datu Hii Chang Kee and Statos chief executive officer (CEO) Chew Chang Guan. — DayakDaily
