KUCHING: Sarawak’s industry players must take full advantage of Chinese companies coming into the state by asking for technology transfer.
Minister of International Trade and Industry, Darell Leiking said that industry players must not waste any chances and should take advantage of China’s technology transfer.
“They cannot just come in and take our land and force us to take their workers.
“We ask them for technology transfer, maybe they will start with their robotic and open their machinery here. From there, Sarawakians should take advantage of what they have and we become another manufacturer,” he said, adding that in 15 years time, the state will have its own industry.
He said during the Seminar on Automation and IR4.0 at Pullman Hotel here yesterday.
About 100 participants attended the seminar which provides insights into the economic outlook and Industry 4.0 as well as in-depth information on automation amongst Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Leiking also said that Sabah and Sarawak should forget talking about being left behind.
“We know we are already being left behind, what we have to do is to look for a solution. With the Internet of Things and communication, we can work together (Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsula Malaysia) to put on new bricks, walls and curtains for the federation of Malaysia and on our part, Sabah and Sarawak have to build our industry,” he explained.
He added that there was a need to build the foundations for automation such as machines and robotics so that the future generations will be able to take over.
Meanwhile, during a press conference earlier, Leiking hoped that the two Chief Ministers of Sabah and Sarawak will focus on the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) initiative.
“My ministry together with Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Berhad (MIDF), Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) as well as Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) will promote BIMP-EAGA through the fiscal policy and our facilitation,” he said.
