By Karen Bong and Chris Bishop
KUCHING, Oct 26: Sarawak digital and energy-based companies are encouraged to seek out collaboration and venture opportunities with the Republic of Kazakhstan which is currently exploring hydro technology as it moves towards sustainable energy.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, in making this call, pointed out that Kazakhstan’s interest in hydro technology opens up potential opportunities for Sarawakians to participate in the country’s move towards sustainable energy growth.
“Such a move I believe is vital towards supporting the republic’s development plan.
“Moreover, their central focus is similar to Sarawak’s objective which is to increase GDP (gross domestic product) growth while promoting sustainable renewable energy and optimising digitalisation growth.
“Therefore, there are venture opportunities for our local digital and energy-based companies such as Sacofa and Sarawak Energy as well as local entrepreneurs,” he said when officiating at the ‘Business Opportunities in Kazakhstan Forum’ held at a hotel here today.
Awang Tengah, who is also Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment, added that Kazakhstan is not unfamiliar to Sarawak as the Sarawak Timber Selling and Investment Mission to the republic in 2014 in fact has opened up collaboration opportunities in timber and tourism sectors, which was unfortunately affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“As such, it is a blessing that we are able to gather in person at this business forum after two years of disruptions.
“This forum presents an opportunity for us to get reacquainted and establish new contacts and networks as we move forward post-pandemic. This is the right platform to match compatible businesses from the Republic of Kazakhstan with our participants who are present here today, consisting of entrepreneurs and representatives of companies as well as GLC (government-linked companies),” he said.
Sharing on Sarawak’s strengths, Awang Tengah said Sarawak is strategically located in the booming Asian market comprising 4.5 billion people or about 60 per cent of the world’s total population, has large tracts of land totalling 12.4 million hectares in size, and blessed with rich natural resources, huge deposits of minerals, flora and fauna and arable land for agriculture.
Furthermore, he added that Sarawak has remained as one of the most preferred investment destinations for manufacturing projects in Malaysia with recorded approved investment worth RM23.17 billion in 2020 and 2021.
“We can look at our Halal industry as one important segment that has potential for dynamic growth in both countries. I understand that the recognition of Kazakhstan Halal standards by Malaysian authorities is being implemented.
“We also have growing oil and gas, timber, palm oil and shipbuilding industries,” he said.
Welcoming more downstream value-adding activities in the manufacturing sector, Awang Tengan hopes the business communities from both Sarawak and Kazakhstan can look into developing the downstream oil and gas industries.
Ambassador to the Republic of Kazakhstan in Kuala Lumpur His Excellency Bulat Sugurbayev and Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan in Sarawak His Excellency Pengiran Dato Awang Daud Awang Putera were among the distinguished guests present. — DayakDaily
