BY ARNOLD UJANG
SARAWAK is on track to be a leading digital economy by 2030 with the establishment of related agencies and digital infrastructures.
The state’s venture to digitalise its economy began in earnest in 2018, shifting its dependence on non-renewable resources and leapfrogging into the next generation economy.
As Sarawak continues to progress, it needs to enhance its productivity to remain competitive while, simultaneously creating a clean, healthy and resilient environment that will last for generations.
The state has successfully enhanced its economic development through transformations of several key sectors since the commencement of the first Digital Economy Strategy (2018-2022), including agriculture, oil palm industry, e-commerce, finance and fintech, digital government, smart city, tourism, manufacturing and services industry
Among the achievements under this agenda, was the establishment of the Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) to spearhead, oversee and facilitate the development and implementation of the communication, multimedia and the state’s Digital Economy Initiatives; the construction of digital infrastructure to widen coverage and provide connectivity especially to rural communities.
As for hydrogen economy, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg during the 19th State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting, said it (hydrogen) is an essential component of a net zero energy system for deep decarbonisation.
The global hydrogen market is picking up speed and clean hydrogen production capacity has more than doubled since January 2021.
To ensure that Sarawak is not left behind, the state’s hydrogen market throughout the entire value chain, needs to be actively shaped.
“Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) has partnered with Samsung Engineering, POSCO and Lotte Chemical from South Korea to develop an environmentally friendly hydrogen and green ammonia plant in Bintulu.
“Once completed, the plant will produce 630,000 metric tonnes of green ammonia, 600,000 metric tonnes of blue ammonia, 220,000 metric tonnes of green hydrogen, of which 7,000 metric tonnes will be for domestic use and the rest will be exported to South Korea,” said Abang Johari, adding that such development can further diversify Sarawak’s export, besides the traditional oil and gas exports.
