By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Jan 21: Sarawak will continue its plan to set up a trade and tourism office in Kalimantan which will boost spin-off benefits from the relocation of Indonesia’s new capital ― Nusantara.
Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the State government initially planned to set up a trade office in three neighbouring countries, namely Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (STATOS), which has been established in Singapore, and two more in Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia.
“If it weren’t for the Covid-19 pandemic, our (plan to set up a) trade and tourism office in Pontianak, Kalimantan would have taken off.
“I believe after the pandemic situation subsides, we will be able to start (establishing the office).
“As the capital city of Indonesia is going to be relocated in Kalimantan, we must have our trade office there,” he told a press conference held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today.
Abdul Karim stressed that the relocation of Indonesia’s capital from Jakarta to Kalimantan will further boost the growth of the Borneo archipelago.
“This is because Sabah and Sarawak are close to Kalimantan, and we will develop the road infrastructure and flights connecting to the new capital city.
“Companies in Sarawak may also be interested in investing or be involved in the development of the new capital,” he added. ― DayakDaily
