KUCHING, Dec 19: The Sarawak Business Federation (SBF) today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in Melbourne, Australia.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg witnessed the exchange of the signed MoU documents at VCCI’s premises in Collin Street.
The agreement signing formed part of the Chief Minister’s itinerary while in Melbourne. Tomorrow, Abang Johari will be conferred an honorary doctorate degree by the Swinburne University of Technology for his long and outstanding service to Sarawak.
In his address after the signing ceremony, Abang Johari told those present that Sarawak was looking forward to greater collaboration with Victoria to enhance two-way trade and also Technical and Further Education (TAFE).
His spoke at length to give an overview of Sarawak’s economic and demographic background, its strength and potentials, the industrialisation, the economic digitalisation agenda and the development of a green economy.
Earlier, SBF president Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg and VCCI chief executive Mark Stone also spoke.
Later in the afternoon, Abang Johari and members of his entourage proceeded to Swinburne’s campus in Hawthorn, near Melbourne, to familiarise themselves with development at the campus.
While at the campus, they were given interesting insights into research and development, design factory and its role and a tour of the university’s innovation centre.
They were also given an overview of the accelerator programme, incubation space and a host of other initiatives towards digitalisation and Industry 4.0 at the university.
Members of the chief minister’s delegation included Assistant Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapa’ee, Deputy State Secretary Datu Abu Bakar Marzuki, Petra Jaya MP Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof, members of SBF members, and board and council members of Swinburne Sarawak.
Also present was Westmoreland Palon, the current Consul General for Malaysia in Melbourne, who is from Kuching. — DayakDaily
