DIGITAL transformation initiatives will contribute approximately 20 per cent to Sarawak’s gross domestic product (GDP) amounting to RM56.4 billion in 2030, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said this will create more than 45,000 new high-paying jobs with 80 per cent of Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (MSMEs) adopting digitalisation.
By 2030, Abang Johari said there shall be no distinction between the digital economy and the economy as all segments of the economy namely mining, agriculture and forestry, manufacturing, construction and services will be digitally driven using ICT and frontier digital technologies.
“Ultimately, these will enhance productivity, yield, efficiency and generate high-skilled jobs for our people,“ he said in his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly sitting yesterday.
In order to achieve this, he said the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint will be implemented in three phases namely Phase 1 (2025): Strengthen Digital Readiness, Phase 2 (2027): Accelerate Digital Transformation and Phase 3 (2030): Digitally Developed Sarawak.
Abang Johari, who is also the Minister of Finance and New Economy said an ecosystem would be built to attract new industries focusing on international standards data centres, digital content creation and boosting digital innovation and entrepreneurship.
He also welcomed the private sector to venture in the evolving digital economy in which under the blueprint, the private sector would play dominant role through frontier technologies such as big data, blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), Artifical Intelligence solutions and immersive technology.
“On a broader scale, this will bring major economical, societal and environmental impact to Sarawak.
“We will continue to build enabling digital infrastructure to widen the coverage and provide connectivity, especially to the rural communities for inclusive development,” he added.
