By Jacob Achoi
SERIAN, March 30: Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment has commenced a master plan study for the development of industrial terminals in Sarawak.
According to Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, the master plan, when completed, will enable Sarawak to plan for and develop petrochemical downstream industries in a more holistic manner.
“The State managed to remain among the top investment destinations in the country for the manufacturing sector.
“Investors have full confidence in the State government’s business-friendly policies and the ability to handle Covid-19 pandemic,” he said when opening the ‘Jum Regista Bisnes’ programme at Serian Administrative Centre today.
He was represented by Deputy Minister of International Trade and Investment Datuk Dr Malcom Mussen Lamoh, who read out Awang Tengah’s speech text.
Awang Tengah, who is also Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment, disclosed that Sarawak has approved RM7.1 billion worth of investments, including two major expansion projects in Sama Jaya totalling RM2.1 billion.
“The ministry continues to engage with more potential investors, who have expressed their intention to explore opportunities in Sarawak,” he added.Â
He pointed out that physical meetings with serious investors were held with Singapore for metal investments, South Korea (chemicals), China (integrated oil refinery) and Australia (green technology and basic metal), adding that video conferencing meetings were also held with investors from Hong Kong (EV batteries) and the United States of America (biochemicals).
“My ministry is prepared to facilitate these investors as their proposed projects can materialise in Sarawak.
“In line with the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy, my ministry will continue to attract more quality foreign direct investment (FDI) and direct domestic investment (DDI),” he said.Â
Noting that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) accounted for 98.5 per cent of businesses in the State, Awang Tengah disclosed that the government has spent about RM5.6 billion under Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) 1-8.
Present were Serian Resident Tuah Suni and head of SME development Sayed Ismail Dato Sri Wan Hashim, among others. — DayakDaily
