By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 16: Sarawak is exploring opportunities to strengthen strategic collaboration with Hong Kong in investment, semiconductors, deep technology and other frontier industries as part of its efforts to accelerate the State’s technology ambitions.
The potential partnership was discussed during a meeting on Tuesday (Sept 15) involving Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, SMD Semiconductor and venture capital firm Gobi Partners.
According to a media release, the engagement forms part of Sarawak’s ongoing push to expand international partnerships that can support the development of strategic technologies while linking the State’s growing technology ecosystem with Hong Kong’s established financial and innovation networks.
Abang Johari said the discussions could lay the groundwork for broader and longer-term cooperation between Sarawak and Hong Kong.
“We see potential for Sarawak and Hong Kong to build stronger and longer-term cooperation in semiconductors, deep technology and other strategic technologies, while creating opportunities for both sides to participate in the growth of the regional technology economy,” he said.
Among the areas being explored are the identification of institutional, sovereign and strategic investors, as well as co-investment and investment syndication opportunities for semiconductor and deep-tech companies.
The collaboration could also extend to strategic investments in regional and international technology start-ups and scale-ups, alongside the acquisition and commercialisation of strategic intellectual property and emerging technologies.
Gobi Partners Malaysia managing partner Jamaludin Bujang said Sarawak could benefit from the firm’s extensive presence across Asian markets, particularly in the Near East, to gain access to emerging technologies being developed in the region.
He noted that Gobi has invested in more than 400 technology companies over the past 24 years and is backed by several sovereign wealth funds across Asia.
According to him, this network and experience could help Sarawak accelerate the transformation agenda it is currently pursuing.
SMD Semiconductor chairman Dato Sri Wan Lizozman Wan Umar said the engagement brought together two ecosystems with complementary strengths.
“Hong Kong has established strengths in finance, capital and innovation, while Sarawak is developing its semiconductor, digital infrastructure and technology capabilities. Bringing these strengths together can open new possibilities for both ecosystems,” he said.
Meanwhile, SMD Semiconductor chief executive officer Shariman Jamil said the company would focus on translating the broader engagement into tangible areas of cooperation.
“For SMD, the next step is to identify where our capabilities and those of our potential partners can complement one another, and where we can develop opportunities that have real commercial and strategic value,” he said.
The discussions come as Sarawak continues to position itself as an emerging player in the semiconductor and advanced technology sectors, supported by investments in digital infrastructure, talent development and strategic industry partnerships. — DayakDaily
