By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Oct 12: Sarawak will be setting up trade offices in Singapore, Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei) and Pontianak (West Kalimantan, Indonesia) to function as “trade diplomats”.
In revealing this, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg explained that these offices would facilitate activities in the agriculture, manufacturing and tourism sectors as well as networking between the countries concerned.
“The trade office in Singapore is underway. We hope to operate by Jan 1 next year. The Singapore government has agreed to it.
“This particular office will become the contact point for our exporters to meet with the business community in Singapore, especially on our interest to export our agriculture produce,” he said when launching the inaugural Sarawak International Business Exhibition and Conference (SIBEC) 2018 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
He emphasised that it was crucial for the state to meet the high export standard set by Singapore, as it was equivalent to the international standard and will set the benchmark for Sarawak to move forward in the export sector.
“Similarly in Brunei, I am glad that the Sultan of Brunei has agreed for us to set up our trade office. The next one will be in Pontianak. So we will have three trade offices for the business communities, including the Sarawak Business Federation (SBF) to have its contacts,” he said.
Abang Johari hoped the local business community would respond accordingly and also strive to explore the international market.
SIBEC is organised by SBF to promote business and investment, to support the transformation of Sarawak’s digital economy and to showcase the promotion of digital technology in Sarawak.
SBF president Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg, SIBEC organising chairman Datuk Philip Ting and Deputy State Secretary Datu Dr Sabariah Putit were among those present at the launching ceremony. — DayakDaily
