KUCHING: Sarawak and Singapore have much common ground that can be leveraged to spur the state and country’s respective economies.
In stating this, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised the importance of trust between Sarawak and Singapore in undertaking businesses that will benefit both parties.
“Of course, business must be based on trust. The Singapore Business Federation together with Singapore Enterprise and Sarawak Business Federation (SBF) must trust each other as once the trust is cemented, the rest is yours.
“The good relationship between Sarawak and Singapore is something that leaders from both sides have acknowledged. As far as Sarawak is concerned, we welcome anyone who wants to have joint business associations here but bearing in mind that we are going higher in our economic development goal to develop Sarawak as a high-income state,” he said.
Abang Johari disclosed that Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has inquired whether the state government is going to assist Indonesia on its new capital in Nusantara.
“The Indonesian government has asked us to help in their new capital which is about 500km from Kuching and 400km from Kapit. It is near and people from Singapore can fly out there.
“With the bond of friendship between Sarawak and Singapore cemented, we can work together to help our friend in Nusantara,” he said.
At the same time, Abang Johari said he was informed by Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah that there is an increase in purchases under the Sarawak My Second Home Programme by Singaporeans.
With the travel duration of approximately one hour from Singapore to Kuching, he encouraged Singaporeans to purchase a property in Sarawak so they can enjoy the various delicacies and tourism attractions the state has to offer.
“The travel duration (would be) shorter compared to in Johor where you would have to pass through the Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) and wait. When you have a property here, you can stay at your own house and enjoy our kolok mee.
“We are also upgrading our tourism infrastructure that will link our resorts to the city centre through the Autonomous Rail Transport (ART). The ART will be environmentally friendly as it is using hydrogen and it is part of the Sarawak Metro plan by 2026,” he added.
