KUCHING, Feb 24: Sarawak is ready to sell power generated from hydro dams to Brunei under the Trans-Borneo grid project.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said that Sarawak Energy is currently working on a power exchange agreement with Brunei to pave the way for the export of electricity to Brunei.
“Sarawak will also implement the Northern Coastal Highway project through Brunei Darussalam.
“Leveraging on the prevailing close spirit of cooperation with Brunei, Sarawak hopes to increase trade value, especially the supply of agricultural products such as livestocks, fruits and vegetables.
“Sarawak has a big land area with big potentials for agriculture in a modern way. Sarawak proposed a joint venture in fish rearing and prawn culture in Lawas for this purpose,” he said in his text speech read by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan at the 39th Brunei National Day celebration held at a hotel here last night (Feb 23).
Abang Johari emphasised that there is also potential for collaboration in cattle farming in Limbang-Lawas-Miri and downstream processing in Brunei.
“We have several plantations that have expressed their interest to undertake the cattle rearing via integration with oil palm plantation and feedlot system.
“Sarawak will collaborate with Brunei Darussalam for Joint Border Development along the highway for commercial property and industrial parks and as well as promote local products globally,” he added.
For that, Abang Johari hopes that Brunei will allow Sarawak’s products, especially from the Northern Region, to be exported to overseas markets, either by air or sea as Brunei has better connectivity.
He believes further cooperation through expo and trade fairs to promote local products such as Micro SME Brunei Fair, Brunei Consumer Fair and Sarawak Timber & SME Expo should be created to spur more growth in the economy sector in both regions.
These were among the matters discussed in collaboration between Brunei and Malaysia, especially Sarawak, during the working visit by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who was joined by a delegation from the Sarawak government to Brunei last month.
Other matters include road connectivity and efforts to facilitate cross-border movement between the two countries, telecommunications, tourism, trade and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah was present at the celebration. — DayakDaily
