By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 14: Sarawak is seeking strategic cooperation with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to develop its natural gas resources and expand the production of higher-value downstream products.
In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) report, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said Sarawak’s substantial natural gas reserves presented opportunities for strategic cooperation with the UAE, particularly in developing gas-based industries.
He emphasised that natural gas could be utilised not only as an energy source but also as a raw material for producing various industrial products with strong demand in international markets.
“We still have a lot of gas in Sarawak, and what needs to be done is to explore that resource, and this is where we can cooperate with our friends from the UAE.
“Let us work together to develop gas production,” he said at the Sarawak Entrepreneur of the Year Awards (EOYS) 2026 here on Friday (Nov 13).
Abang Johari said Sarawak had already taken steps to develop its gas-based downstream industry through methanol production, with plans to expand further into green methanol and green ammonia.
He explained that these products held significant potential to serve the international shipping industry, which is increasingly seeking alternative fuels as part of its transition towards cleaner energy.
“Gas can be transported and developed to produce other products from it,” he added.
He stressed that developing gas-based industries would enable Sarawak to maximise the economic value of its natural resources through local downstream processing while strengthening its participation in the global energy market. — DayakDaily
