By Doreen Ling
KUCHING, June 1: Trade between Sarawak and South Korea reached RM16.8 billion, underscoring the continued confidence of South Korean companies in the State as a strategic investment destination.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan noted that Malaysia’s total trade with South Korea amounted to RM27.4 billion in 2025, with Sarawak accounting for a significant share that reflects its growing role in the broader Malaysia–South Korea economic partnership.
“South Korea has become one of Sarawak’s most important strategic partners. Over the years, Sarawak and Korea have built a close relationship not only at the government-to-government level but also through strong business-to-business collaborations.
“This partnership continues to grow across trade, investment, technology, energy, manufacturing, and talent development,” he said at an engagement session with the Malaysian Students’ Association in Korea (Persatuan Pelajar Malaysia Korea or PPMK) organised by SMD Semiconductor held in Seoul, South Korea, on Sunday (May 31), in a which a copy of his text speech was made available to the media.
Awang Tengah, who is also the Minister for International Trade, Industry, and Investment Sarawak, said that these collaborations are more than just numbers on paper as they have created real opportunities, real industries, and real impact for Sarawakians.
“In Samalaju Industrial Park alone, 9,157 jobs have been created, of which 83 per cent are held by locals. OCI, as one of Sarawak’s major Korean investors, has employed 1,102 people, representing 12 per cent of the total jobs created in Samalaju Industrial Park, with 90 per cent of its workforce being locals.
“Beyond employment, these investments have also generated significant spillover effects for local businesses, vendors, services, skills development, and the broader economy in Sarawak,” he said.
He then told students that Sarawak has rapidly changed over the years, guided by the Sarawak Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
The Deputy Premier said Sarawak is not solely relying on old industries anymore and is exploring green energy, digital tech, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, smart infrastructure, and semiconductors.
“In the years ahead, Sarawak will continue to require more engineers, scientists, researchers, technology specialists, entrepreneurs, and innovators to support the State’s growing high-technology ecosystem.
“As Sarawak moves further into advanced industries and future technologies, the opportunities back home will continue to expand,” he said.
He further urged Sarawakians studying or working abroad to come back and contribute to the State’s development by bringing their global perspective back to Sarawak’s ecosystem.
“Whether you join a multinational, start your own tech business, or bring new ideas to our local industries, your homeland needs your brains and your energy.
“We are building the foundation, but your generation is the one that will actually run the future Sarawak. We are waiting for you,” he said.
Similarly, SMD Semiconductor chief executive officer (CEO), Shariman Jamil, who was also present, echoed Awang Tengah’s sentiments by addressing assumptions that those in industries such as finance, media or mechanical engineering have no place in a company that produces chips.
In his text speech, which was also made available to the media, he said mechanical and software engineers are just as vital in building systems, as well as materials scientists, to figure out the processes.
Outside the engineering lab, he said, sharp finance minds are needed to manage budgets, legal talent for international contracts, and an investment team to raise funds. Beyond that, a creative strategic communications team is vital in telling their story to the world, and human resources (HR) talent is needed to hunt for the best minds, build their culture, and ensure their personnel are constantly growing.
“So, let us drop the myth. No matter what your major is, if you are a problem solver, there is a place for you in this industry. The doors are wide open; we are growing fast, and we want you on board to help us build this.” — DayakDaily
