By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 24: Both Sarawak and Australia’s Northern Territory have expressed mutual interest in reactivating the mining sector through sustainable and responsible practices, setting the tone for renewed economic cooperation during an official visit by a high-level Australian delegation to the State.
The Sarawak government today welcomed the Minister for Trade, Business and Asian Relations, and Minister for International Education, Migration and Population of Australia’s Northern Territory, Robyn Cahill, on her official visit from today until June 26.
She was accompanied by senior officials including Chief of Staff Brett Hannam, deputy CEO of the Department of Trade, Business and Asian Relations Kelly Ralston, acting senior director of the Office of Asian Relations David Orr, and director of Study NT Renee Tennent.
The delegation was received by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who also serves as Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment, and Second Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development. He was joined by senior government officials and key stakeholders.
According to a statement today, both sides acknowledged striking similarities between Sarawak and the Northern Territory, particularly in their abundant natural resources such as petroleum and minerals, vast land areas, and shared ambitions for renewable energy development, including solar and hydropower.
The meeting covered a wide range of cooperation areas including talent development, vocational training, higher education, oil and gas, advanced manufacturing, eco-tourism, green mining, sustainable resource management, agribusiness, and food security.
In particular, both parties expressed commitment to reviving the mining sector with a strong emphasis on environmental stewardship.
Sarawak also indicated interest in learning from Australia’s successful models in national park management and natural resource conservation to strengthen the State’s biodiversity protection efforts.
Awang Tengah and Cahill reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties. Cahill highlighted that Malaysia continues to be the Northern Territory’s second-largest import source, underscoring the importance of enhancing this partnership.
The engagement sets a strong foundation for broader collaboration that promises long-term economic, educational, and environmental benefits for both regions.
Also present during the meeting were Deputy Minister of International Trade and Investment Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development Datuk Len Talif Salleh, along with senior representatives from several key ministries and agencies including the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) and InvestSarawak. — DayakDaily
