SIBU, Aug 22: Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn says Sarawak hopes to register between six to eight per cent growth in 2022 to stay on track to become a developed State by 2030.
“As I have said before, Sarawak is expecting a total of at least RM100 billion worth of investments and spending will be injected into the State’s economy towards 2030. Sarawak’s government budget at RM10 billion per year and foreign investment in hydrogen production by Samsung and Sumitomo, and two sour gas separation plants in Bintulu, plus projects implementation amounting to RM40 billion by Sarawak Energy are the most significant of these capital injections into the State’s economy,” he said, when speaking at at the 33rd Annual Architectural Student Workshop 2022 (Makara) here today.
Roland predicted that with the great stride towards a progressive nation, there will be a continuous flow of urban mega projects that will see an upward trend in demand for large-scale infrastructure, residential and commercial development which would all require great architects.
And with the robust growth spearheaded, he anticipated that there will be a serious need for skilled labour and professionals in the built environment sector to serve in the planning and construction of industrial parks, factories, infrastructures, and commercial and residential properties in order to accommodate the needs of the investors, industries and the workers.
“With the strong prospects of the State’s and national economy, I certainly believe that our community of architects is going to have a bright future,” he added.
Sagah also believed that believe that Makara is vital in creating an well-rounded architecture students who will be ready to face and survive today’s challenging world of architecture.
A total of 382 students from 16 universities throughout the country are participating in the workshop from August 21 to August 26.
According to University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) Vice Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr Khairuddin Abdul Hamid, Makara is the first architecture student workshop in the State and UTS as a newly establish university is delighted to be the organiser of the event.
“I am elated at this large turnout that represents the unity of different universities, organisations and groups of people, especially in the architecture fraternity,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sagah also said the architecture sector is poised to have a bright future due to the strong prospects of the State’s and nation’s economies.
“Our country is not just rich with diverse people and cultural traditions, but we are also rapidly progressing into a developed nation with a positive economic growth as we transitioned into the endemic phase of Covid-19. Just last week Bank Negara issued a report that the country has registered an economic growth of 8.9 per cent for the second quarter of 2022,” he said. — DayakDaily
