By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 22: Sarawak’s delegation, led by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, paid a courtesy visit to the Mayor of Bergen, Marit Warncke, on Friday (Feb 21) to strengthen bilateral ties, exchange insights on sustainable urban development and renewable energy, and explore investment opportunities in Sarawak.
Bergen in Norway, renowned for its innovative urban planning and sustainability efforts, has become a global model for balancing economic growth with environmental conservation.
According to a media release, the visit provided Sarawak’s delegation with a valuable opportunity to learn from Bergen’s successful integration of modern infrastructure while preserving its rich cultural and historical heritage—an approach closely aligned with Sarawak’s own development aspirations.
As Malaysia assumes the chairmanship of Asean in 2025, the country will oversee a regional bloc of 10 member states with a combined population of nearly 680 million. Throughout the year, Malaysia will host various Asean-related activities to promote economic cooperation and advance key initiatives, including green energy and sustainable urbanisation.
Sarawak, Malaysia’s largest region, is at the forefront of renewable energy development, leveraging its abundant hydropower resources to drive clean energy initiatives.
Landmark projects such as the Murum and Bakun dams have enabled Sarawak to surpass its renewable energy targets, with 62 per cent of its energy mix now derived from renewables.
Expanding its sustainable energy portfolio, Sarawak is actively investing in hydropower expansion, green hydrogen production, Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS), floating solar farms, pumped hydro energy storage, biomass power, and microalgae cultivation.
As a pioneer in green hydrogen production in Southeast Asia, Sarawak launched its first integrated hydrogen production plant and refuelling station in 2019. Through the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), the State has attracted substantial investments, totalling RM102.3 billion as of 2021.
Competitive renewable power tariffs and low land premiums further reinforce Sarawak’s position as a premier investment destination in Malaysia.
Discussions during the visit underscored the shared economic strengths of Norway and Sarawak in key industries such as oil and gas, forestry, agriculture, fisheries, and energy.
With the global transition toward sustainability, both regions recognise significant opportunities for collaboration in trade, investment, and renewable energy development.
By fostering stronger ties with Bergen and Norway, Sarawak aims to accelerate its renewable energy transition while benefiting from Bergen’s expertise in sustainable urban planning and key economic sectors.
Strengthening these partnerships will support Sarawak’s vision of becoming a regional leader in green energy and sustainable development.
As Sarawak continues to modernise and expand its global economic presence, collaborations with forward-thinking cities like Bergen pave the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future.
This visit marks a crucial step in enhancing diplomatic, economic, and environmental cooperation between Sarawak and Norway.
The visit was attended by key Sarawakian officials, including Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Native Law and Customs) Datuk Jefferson Jamit Unyat, Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang, permanent secretary to the Ministry of Natural Resources & Urban Development (MUDeNR) Datu Abdullah Julaihi, permanent secretary to Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment (MINTRED) Dzulkornain Masron, Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) chief executive officer (CEO) Datu Zaidi Mahdi, Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda) CEO Datuk Haji Ismawi bin Haji Ismuni, , Economic Planning Unit (EPU) Sarawak director Datu Lester Matthew, and MIDA Stockholm deputy director Khairul Azhar Amil Hamzah. — DayakDaily
