By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, May 15: Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Brunei (STATOB) is expected to start operating this year, says Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
Awang Tengah who is the Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment (MINTRED) said STATOB will serve as a strategic platform for Sarawak to enhance and accelerate economic collaboration with Brunei Darussalam.
“This will facilitate business and investments while also showcasing Sarawak’s products and tourism attractions, both in Brunei and globally,” he said when presenting his ministerial winding-up speech in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting here today.
STATOB will be the second Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office after its counterpart in Singapore (STATOS), commenced operations in Aug 2019.
In 2023, STATOS facilitated total exports of more than RM160 million, mainly agricultural products such as bird nest, gula apong, highland rice, kek lapis, and seafood.
“STATOS has also assisted 14 Sarawakian businesses through their Export Promotion Assistance Programme with total allocation of RM500,000 in 2023, which has expanded local products in Singapore amounting to RM23.34 million,” he added.
Awang Tengah also revealed that a Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office in Kalimantan, Indonesia will be established in the future to promote investment, trade and tourism between both regions following the development of Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara. — DayakDaily
