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Sarawak stands to benefit

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Dr Jamil (second left) exchanges the MOU document with vice president of University of Wuzi Beijing, Professor Dr He Mingke witnessed by Masing (centre) and others. Photo: Ghazali Bujang.

BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE

SAMARAHAN: Sarawak will benefit if it taps into new markets that emerge as a result of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) launched by the Chinese government, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Through the initiative, he added that there would be improved access to the Chinese markets as well as to those in other Asean countries, the Middle East, and the Central and Eastern European markets.

“This will be profitable to developing and emerging economies in these areas as investment and trade will speed up development,” he said.

His speech text was read by Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing at the opening ceremony of the 1st International Conference on Belt and Road (ICBR) 2020 at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Samarahan Campus 2 yesterday.

Abang Johari said that through events such as ICBR 2020, Sarawak would be able to implement and promote cultural and educational cooperation and exchanges between China, Malaysia, and other ‘belt and road’ countries.

“There are a lot of untapped potentials in these ‘belt and road’ projects that can be used to develop our economy,” he added.

He also noted that the initiative was a significant development strategy aimed at promoting economic cooperation among countries along the proposed ‘belt and road’ routes.

He explained that it would craft a regional economic cooperation framework and bring new opportunities to all parties encouraged by the flow of capital, goods, and services between Asia and the rest of the world via market integration and the establishment of new ties among communities — building global businesses.

Dr Jamil (second left) exchanges the MOU document with vice president of University of Wuzi Beijing, Professor Dr He Mingke witnessed by Masing (centre) and others. Photo: Ghazali Bujang.

Abang Johari pointed out that there would be many obstacles ahead for Sarawak to propel its economy to greater heights and to achieve a high-income society.

“We need your help and your expertise. We need education institutions to help us in developing our human capital and these institutions can work with other companies and/or their counterparts from inside or outside the country,” he said.

He added that outsourcing for available expertise and funding would be done if necessary.

“Collaborations with foreign institutions through research and development will help Sarawak move forward.”

The chief minister also noted that the Sarawak government has had numerous collaborations with China which included a wide coverage of products and services.

He pointed out that last year alone, several Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) had been inked, involving sectors such as manufacturing, oil and gas, cultural identity, and connectivity.

Also present at the opening ceremony were Education, Science and Technological Research Minister Datuk Seri Michael Manyin Jawong, UiTM Sarawak Rector Professor Datuk Dr Jamil Hamali, Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching Cheng Guangzhong, Sarawak Energy group chief executive officer Datuk Sharbini Suhaili, and ACEC Association China Region executive director Yang Chengcheng.

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