By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, April 22: Norway has expressed interest in the algae industry being developed in Sarawak, especially for use in green energy.
In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) report, this was said by Trine Lise Sundnes, head of the Norwegian delegation, during a press conference after a courtesy call by the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Parliamentary Committee at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here today.
She said that while Norway has a large production of algae as well, it was within the context of food supply.
“However, in Sarawak, when we visited the biodiversity centre, we saw more advanced technology,” said Sundnes.
Meanwhile, the EFTA Parliamentary Committee chairperson and the head of the Iceland delegation, Grimur Grimsson, who also led the EFTA delegation, said that the purpose of the visit was to discuss the green energy industry with the premier.
“We discussed the development and production of green energy. Sustainability and green energy are keywords in this matter, including carbon capture,” he said.
The visit was part of the delegation’s week-long working visit to Malaysia in efforts to strengthen relations among parliaments, as well as share and exchange information and garner political support for the Malaysia-EFTA Economic Partnership Agreement (MEEPA), which was finalised on April 11.
Sarawak Deputy Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Dato Sri Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, head of the Swiss delegation Thomas Aeschi, and head of the Liechtenstein delegation Sebastian Gassner were also present.
Meanwhile, the Premier also received a courtesy call from the Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia (ICDM) led by its chairperson, Tan Sri Dato Zarinah Anwar.
Speaking to the media after the courtesy call, she said that efforts to empower women through capacity building and skill enhancement are key to ensuring more balanced participation between men and women at all levels of organisations and in both the public and private sectors.
“We want to open up more opportunities for women to fill leadership positions,” she said.
She added that statistics show that more than 60 per cent of university graduates in Malaysia are women, but men still dominate the highest positions and leadership positions.
“It is important for all organisations, including the State government, to utilise all the talents they have— both men and women—to produce the best results for the organisation and the development of the State,” she added.
When asked about the response given by Abang Johari, she said that the Sarawak Premier gave full support to the women’s capacity development initiative, which was seen as in line with the government’s vision in empowering human resources as the main driver of the State’s progress. — DayakDaily
