By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 30: Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan has called for the expedited normalisation of cross-border trade and proposed the formation of a joint economic border committee to spur mutual development between Sarawak and West Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Leading a high-level delegation to Pontianak on Tuesday (July 29), Awang Tengah met with the Governor of West Kalimantan, Drs. H. Ria Norsan, M.M., M.H., in a pivotal meeting aimed at strengthening bilateral economic cooperation and advancing shared regional development goals.
According to a media release, the visit underscored Sarawak’s growing role as a regional hub for renewable energy, semiconductors, and aerospace, as well as its commitment to attracting high-value investments and fostering innovation.
Awang Tengah highlighted Sarawak’s position as a forward-looking State, ready to embrace collaborative strategies with Indonesian counterparts in boosting trade, investment, and infrastructure integration across Borneo.
Air connectivity was a key topic of discussion, with both sides welcoming the planned resumption of direct flights between Kuching and Pontianak in September 2025.
The Deputy Premier also updated on Sarawak’s acquisition of MASWings and its rebranding as AirBorneo, an initiative expected to improve air links within the region. Additionally, the launch of the Singkawang-Kuching bus route in 2024 was lauded as another important milestone in improving land connectivity.
The establishment of a Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office (STATO) in Pontianak was also announced, demonstrating Sarawak’s long-term commitment to facilitating trade, tourism, and cultural exchanges with West Kalimantan.
Both parties expressed a strong desire to enhance people-to-people and business-to-business connections, with the upcoming direct flights expected to boost tourism, medical access, and economic cooperation significantly.
The strategic visit concluded with a shared vision to pursue joint initiatives aimed at deepening regional integration, promoting innovation, and achieving sustainable economic progress for the people of Sarawak and West Kalimantan. — DayakDaily
