MIRI: Inspired by the Miri Smart City initiative, the Faculty of Business at Curtin University organised a digital launch, Sarawak in London, for borderless economy and enhancing product visibility.
According to a statement, the initiative aimed to connect local brands and micro entrepreneurs with potential digital platforms and collaborators in the United Kingdom.
Minister for Transport Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin visited each exhibitor to understand more about their homegrown products at the launch.
Sarawak in London is a good start and not a one-time event that will significantly bring local entrepreneurs into the international market on a continuous basis.
Mayor Adam Yii praised the participation of local businesses and products such as the recently launched Batik Linut.
The idea was sparked during a knowledge transfer programme with the Social Innovation Movement Association and the Sarawak Digital Economic Corporation.
Dr Tiong Ying Ying, project leader and Associate Dean Research and Development at the Faculty of Business, saw this as an important pathway for preparing local entrepreneurs to go global.
Now, with digital and stakeholders like Miri City Council, Curtin University, TEGAS, Horizn Digital, and all microentrepreneurs united as a community, Sarawak everywhere is not a dream, Tiong added.
Makan Bites, an active digital platform in the United Kingdom, and Borneo Street UK, a potential event collaborator in London, had been invited to co-create business value through internationalisation in order to make a greater impact.
The product showcase featured 18 exhibitors, four of whom had shipped their products to London, namely Tea Three by Green Leafs, Starz Team Art and Craft, Kun Products, and Look at Me.
Miri Artisan Market, Pakat, Sarawak Fruit Enterprise, Rania, Pie House, Sarawak Batik Linut Textile, Olizania Borneo, Penan Women Projects, ACHIM, Ineuako Enterprise, Artsy Tailor Craft, WAT Academy, and Route 66 were among the other exhibitors.
Sarawak Fruit Enterprise travelled all the way from Sibu for this event, introducing the visitors to their Dabai-made paste, nuts, crackers and sambal.
