KUCHING: The Sarawak government will continue to provide venues to develop its people’s entrepreneur capacities and capabilities in key areas to increase productivity and competitiveness.
Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said Sarawak needs to produce more local entrepreneurs to support major industries as well as meet international standards to penetrate the global markets.
“This includes empowering our people through social entrepreneurship and providing them with the proper infrastructure to conduct businesses,” he said.
“At the same time, it is essential for local businesses to make greater efforts to equip themselves with important 21st century skills, especially as it pertains to the digital economy and sustainability,” he said.
Therefore, Abang Johari expressed his gratitude to Sarawak Energy for proactively providing various forms of support to assist local businesses to be involved in the organisation’s projects.
“This is something other large corporations can emulate,” he said at the Sarawak Energy Vendor Awards 2021 held here last night (March 2).
“Over the years, there has been an exponential increase in local content participation for Sarawak Energy’s projects due to concerted efforts by the company.”
“The company’s initiatives complement the government’s efforts in promoting entrepreneurship and greater local participation in the state’s development agenda,” he said.
Abang Johari said in a changing business landscape that increasingly emphasises sustainability and digitalisation, the renewable energy sector continues to play a critical role in supporting other industries.
Under the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy, the renewable energy sector is tasked with maintaining at least 60 per cent renewable energy capacity mix by 2030 and reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 600,000 tons per annum.
“We target to achieve more than 15 per cent income from foreign markets to position Sarawak as Southeast Asia’s renewable energy powerhouse.
“Our aim to be Asean powerhouse is not a hollow hope as BIMP-EAGA is moving towards Energy Security in the sub-region,” he said.
Apart from that, he said, Sarawak is pursuing interconnections within the ASEAN region building upon the foundation of the successful interconnection with West Kalimantan, Indonesia, – its first step towards materialising the Borneo Grid and the ASEAN Grid.
He said to fulfil these, the renewable energy sector will continue to implement various initiatives which will provide local businesses with participation opportunities.
He said Sarawak aspires to continue to achieve more sustainable growth and prosperity through affordable, reliable and renewable energy and the Sarawak Government will provide support and promote public-private collaborations in the renewable energy value chain.
“This will ensure ample opportunities for our local vendors and contractors to engage with the energy industry,” he said.
“Therefore, I urge our local vendors to always seek opportunities to participate in development projects in the state – Sarawakians know Sarawak the best; we are the best candidates to develop this beloved state,” he added.
A total of 11 vendors with outstanding performances in 2021 were recognised for excellence in contract delivery.
The awards recipients were evaluated for their performance in health, security, safety and environmental excellence (HSSE), quality of works, delivery of services and integrity in the seven categories namely Best Works Vendor, Best Supplier, Best Service Provider, Best Local Consultant, Best International Consultant, Best Bumiputera Vendor as well as Promising Bumiputera Vendor.
Also presents were Minister of Utilities and Telecommunications Datuk Julaihi Narawi, Sarawak Energy Chairman Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi and Sarawak Enegry chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Sharbini Suhaili.
