By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, June 9: Over 40 South Korean delegates representing about 15 companies participated in Sarawak-Korea Energy Business Forum 2022 to get first-hand exposure to what Sarawak has to offer especially in the green energy sector.
The forum which was held at the Waterfront Hotel Kuching today was jointly organised by the State government and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Malaysia.
During the forum, five presenters delivered their topics, namely Acting Deputy State Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Datu Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel on “Sarawak’s Economic Landscape: Current Development, Cleaner Energy and ESG Commitment” followed by Sarawak Energy Berhad (Sarawak Energy) Group Chief Executive Officer Datu Sharbini Suhaili on “Electricity Landscape and Renewable Energy Potential in Sarawak”.
The other three presenters were SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Robert Hardin on “Hydrogen Economy Landscape in Sarawak”; Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) senior vice president (corporate strategy) Abang Arabi Abang Narudin on “Investment Opportunity in the Downstream Activity for Oil and Gas Sector in Sarawak”; and Korea Energy Economics Institute (KEEI) Director of Research Planning and Coordination, Dr Lee Ho-Mu on “Korea’s Carbon Neutrality Vision and Strategy for Industry and Energy”.
Joining the presenters during the panel discussion was Sarawak Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Dr Hazland Abang Hipni.
Muhammad Abdullah also mentioned that after the forum, Sarawak will be receiving a visit from a Singaporean delegation some time next week for the same reason, that is to explore energy sector development.
Present to officiate at the forum was Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
At the event, Abang Johari also witnessed the contract signing for Semadang Microgrid Project between Sarawak Energy and a South Korean consortium.
Sarawak Energy was represented by Sharbini and witnessed by its general manager (legal and commercial services) George Chapman. The South Korean consortium comprised Nuri Flex Co Ltd which was represented by its vice president Kim Han Soo and witnessed by its director Beck Jun Seon, and KH Shinhwa SnC Co Ltd which was represented by its CEO Min Jong Ki and witnessed by its director Kang Seong Wook.
There were about 200 participants from both public and business communities from South Korea and Sarawak altogether attending the forum.
Also present were Ambassador of South Korea to Malaysia Lee Chi Beom and Sarawak Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian. — DayakDaily
