KUCHING: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan hopes more small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will engage with the state government via trade chambers such as Sarawak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Sarawak Chamber of Bumiputera Entrepreneurs (DUBS), and Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).
“Despite our continuous efforts, there is still a lack of awareness among the local business community on the various facilities and support provided by the government,” he said.
He added that these efforts included conducting many outreach programmes especially geared towards building the capabilities of local industry players which consisted mainly of SMEs.
His speech text was read out by International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development Assistant Minister Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais during SCCI’s 68th annual dinner recently at Imperial Hotel here.
Awang Tengah stated that Sarawak was continuing to be an attractive location for investments and had been among the top three most preferred investment destinations in Malaysia in the past six years.
“Despite global economic uncertainties, the state is still receiving investment interest in sectors such as oil and gas downstream activities, float glass, solar, electronics, basic metal, chemical, and so on,” he said.
“To date, the State Industrial Coordination Committee (ICC) has approved 43 investment projects totalling RM17.85 billion, creating about 10,000 employment opportunities for the state.
“Another 19 projects worth RM726.8 million are still under consideration,” stated the Minister of International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development.
He also urged the private sector to be proactive in grabbing opportunities made available by various government initiatives to ensure that they did not get left behind.
Meanwhile, SCCI president Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg in his speech said that regionally, SCCI recognised the importance of fostering greater understanding with its immediate neighbours in order to further enhance bilateral economic cooperation for growth and mutual benefit.
He also touched on Wisma SCCI, expressing regret that the project was taking some time to come to fruition.
“We hope that all parties are able to expedite the process and in this we seek the active cooperation of our associate, Sarawak Malay Cultural Foundation Charitable Trust (AKYBMS),” he said.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and SCCI deputy president Datuk Philip Ting.
