KUCHING, Feb 23: Sarawak welcomes Australian companies to explore investment opportunities in various industries and sectors in the State, particularly in hydrogen fuel and digital economy in which Australia has relative strength in these sectors.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan raised this when receiving a courtesy call from Australian High Commissioner His Excellency Dr Justin Lee and entourage at his office here today.
Awang Tengah pointed out that the total trade between Sarawak and Australia was valued at AU$1.1 billion or RM3.4 billion in 2020.
“Sarawak’s export to Australia was valued at AU$0.5 billion (RM1.5 billion) mainly for crude petroleum, plywood and urea, while the value of Sarawak import from Australia was AU$0.6 billion (RM1.8 billion), mainly in aluminium ores and concentrate.
“As trade volume is relatively small, there is indeed room for more trade activities between Sarawak and Australia,” he said in a statement today.
During the meeting, both parties exchanged ideas and views on a variety of subjects including collaboration in research and development in biopharmaceuticals, education, tourism and agriculture.
Awang Tengah, who is also Minister of International Trade and Investment, also highlighted the potential for collaborations in R&D as the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has advanced facilities as well as technology which can benefit industries in Sarawak.
“Our huge forest areas have the potential for the development of carbon credit trading, besides moving towards high value downstream timber-based activities,” he added.
Justine was accompanied by his wife Jeane Lona, Australian High Commission education counsellor Fiona Morris, the Commission second secretary Luke McGreevy and Honorary Consul for Australia in Srawak Datuk Philip Ting.
Also there to welcome the Australian entourage were Assistant Minister for Industry Trade and Investment Datuk Malcolm Mussen Lamoh and Mintred advisor Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais. — DayakDaily
