KUCHING, Feb 15: The total trade between Sarawak and Australia increased 56 per cent from AUD1.21 billion (RM3.69 billion) in 2021 to AUD1.87 billion (RM5.67 billion) in 2022.
In 2022, Sarawak exports to Australia were valued at AUD0.95 billion (RM2.9 billion) mainly for crude petroleum, fertiliser, plywood and vessels.
Meanwhile, imports from Australia to Sarawak were valued at AUD0.89 billion (RM2.7 billion), mainly comprising aluminium ore, concentrate and wheat.
Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said as trade volume is relatively small, there is room for more trade activities between Sarawak and Australia.
Ideas and views covering a variety of areas where Sarawak and Australia could collaborate were exchanged between both parties during Western Australia Investment and Trade Commissioner ASEAN Krista Dunstan’s courtesy call to Awang Tengah at his office today.
According to a press statement, Sarawak and Australia are looking at possibilities of working together in hydrogen economy, education, renewable energy, tourism, forestry management, biodiversity and agriculture.
Awang Tengah also briefed Krista on Sarawak’s huge forest areas which have the potential for carbon credit trading, besides moving the industry towards high value downstream timber-based industry.
Adding on, Awang Tengah, who is also Sarawak Deputy Premier, welcomed Australian companies to explore investment opportunities in Sarawak and hoped that both Sarawak and Australia can further strengthen their investment and trade relationships to create a win-win situation for all parties.
Among those also present at the courtesy call were Sarawak Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment (MINTRED) advisor Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais, MINTRED acting permanent secretary Dzulkornain Masron, Honorary Consul for Australia in Sarawak Datuk Phillip Ting, and Economic Planning Unit representative Lo Sheau Sia. — DayakDaily
