By Karen Bong
KUCHING, July 13: Both the State government and the private sector here are totally committed to support and make it easier for Singaporean investors or companies to do business in Sarawak.
Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (Statos) chief executive officer (CEO) Chew Chang Guan, in giving this assurance, said it is time for Sarawak and Singapore to expand their trade and investment linkages.
“But it is not all about trade. We (Sarawak) have more to offer. We have tourism, Sarawak-Malaysia My 2nd Home Programmes, other investment opportunities and business events,” he said during the Singapore Business Delegation Networking Dinner which was officiated by Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at a hotel here tonight.
Grateful that the farsighted Sarawak government had chosen Singapore to set up its first international trade and tourism office, Chew pointed out that Sarawak still has a lot to learn from the island republic’s international business success.
“There has never been a better time to come together and make things happen. The Statos team stands ready to help build those bridges across the South China Sea.
“Let’s wish every success of our future business partnership between Singapore and Sarawak and keep our friendship forever,” he added.
Singapore Business Federation Southeast Asia and Pacific director Tan Sock Joo also gave assurance that the apex chamber in Singapore will continue to facilitate collaborations between businesses from Singapore and Malaysia, especially through its GlobalConnect@SBF programme.
“Since the programme inception in 2019, we have facilitated more than 300 business requests related to the Malaysia market, and also successfully facilitated more than 25 Singapore projects land in Malaysia despite the pandemic,” she said.
On this mission trip to Sarawak which was participated by Singapore companies from wide ranging sectors of energy, education, agri-food and seafood trading, and supermarket retail, Tan reiterated that they will continue to do more to support companies and to enhance business and trade ties between Singapore and Sarawak.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Business Federation president Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg highlighted that regional co-operations such as these are important, while urging counterparts and investors to uncover and tap into Sarawak’s potentials and what the State has to offer.
“We look forward to reciprocal trade missions moving forward. SBF has always been in the forefront in doing our part as the private sector to drive Sarawak in its transformation into a high income and developed State by 2030.
“We are fortunate our government recognises that whilst the public sector provides the direction and framework, it is the private sector that is the engine of growth that will spur it forward and to get things moving,” he added.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah was also present. — DayakDaily
