By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, June 27: The federal government has acknowledged Sarawak’s exemplary role as the first state in the country to successfully implement Industrial Revolution 4.0. through the implementation of digital economy.
Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri in pointing this out said that the initiative taken by the Sarawak under Chief Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has allowed the state to leapfrog even during the recent lockdown triggered by Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are lucky in Sarawak as the State Government has initiated the Industrial Revolution 4.0. to leapfrog our economy.
“We should thank YAB CM for this initiative,” Nancy told tourism players Borneo Convention Centre Kuching here today.
She added that since the Movement Control Order (MCO) came into effect on March 18, businesses in the country have vigorously turned to digital technology and ventured into the online marketplace, e-commerce store and drop-shipping.
“The pandemic is reshaping the way businesses are operating, forcibly pushing convention alone beyond their comfort zones,” Nancy said.
On post-MCO tourism and cultural recovery plan, Nancy said it was crucial to enable the country’s economy to recover as quickly as possible.
“If this is not done, the country’s tourism and cultural sectors will suffer greater losses, delaying the recovery of the industry and economy as a whole as the pandemic recedes. The Ministry has identified various strategies in the recovery plan that will recalibrate the country’s tourism and cultural industries,” she said.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah hoped that the Federal government will continue to assist the tourism industry in Sarawak.
He admitted that under Pakatan Harapan’s previous administration, Sarawak had been neglected.
“For tourism to flourish, the state government as well as the federal government has to work closely together because tourism is not something where you open up a museum and expect people to come.
“There are so many things that come under it such as (air) connectivity, tourism products and incentives.
“Without this cooperation between the state and federal government, tourism will not flourish well,” he said. —DayakDaily.
