By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Oct 4: The Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office in Pontianak, Indonesia is expected to begin operations by the middle of next year, says Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
He said a building had already been identified for the office, but renovation and other preparations were still required before it could start operating.
“Now we have identified the building, and it needs to be renovated and so on.
“Hopefully, we can start to operate by next year, maybe middle of next year, hopefully,” he told reporters during a doorstep interview after the Welfare Micro-Entepreneur Awards Ceremony 2026 in conjunction with the 9th Wellbest Carnival held at MetroCity Convention Centre here today.
Awang Tengah, who is also Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment, said the office would also require a chief executive officer (CEO), while approval from the Indonesian Government through the relevant ministry would have to be obtained.
“At the same time, we have to look for a CEO for the office in Pontianak. But at the same time, we have to get approval from the Indonesian Government through their ministry. That is important,” he said.
He said the Pontianak office would operate under a company to be established under the ministry, with its structure to comply with requirements set by the Indonesian Government.
Meanwhile, he said Sarawak was also planning to establish a similar Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office in Abu Dhabi to tap markets in the Middle East.
However, no building had yet been identified for the proposed Abu Dhabi office.
“It will be maintained by Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) and Sarawak Energy Berhad (Sarawak Energy). I think it is already in the plan. Hopefully, they can proceed to negotiate and identify the right building,” he said.
Earlier in his speech, Awang Tengah said the expansion of Sarawak’s trade and tourism offices was part of the State’s efforts to penetrate wider markets by embracing digital platforms and e-commerce.
He said Sarawak currently had Sarawak Trade and Tourism Offices in Singapore and Brunei, with Pontianak and Abu Dhabi being the next planned locations. — DayakDaily
