KUCHING: Sarawak continues to remain as one of the most attractive places for investment in Malaysia despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said last year alone the state had secured RM15.7 billion worth of approved investments.
“We are not resting on our laurels and are continuing to engage with foreign investors on their proposed investment in green hydrogen, electric vehicles, glass fibre and others,” he said when officiating at the opening of Sarawak Chief Minister’s Industry Excellence Award (CMIEA) 2021 via Zoom today.
Awang Tengah, who is also Minister of International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development, also informed that four multinational corporations in Sama Jaya have begun their expansion plans worth RM6.31 billion.
“This is testament of the investors’ full confidence in Sarawak government’s ability to manage our economy as well as the way we manage the pandemic,” he said.
Awang Tengah said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had, on July 22, announced that the state government was embarking on the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) to propel Sarawak to become a developed state by 2030 driven by data and innovation, where everyone enjoys economic prosperity, social inclusivity and sustainable environment.
“The strategic plans are anchored on six economic sectors as the main engines of growth namely, manufacturing, commercial agriculture, tourism, forestry, mining and social services which are reinforced by seven enablers such as digital transformation, innovation, basic infrastructure, transport, utilities, renewable energy as well as education and human capital development.
“Therefore, I hope that our business communities can get themselves ready and grab the opportunities created through this strategic plan,” he said.
Commenting on the CMIEA 2021, Awang Tengah congratulated Sarawak Business Federation (SBF) for organising another round of the award this year.
“CMIEA is a corporate recognition awards programme that aims to honour and recognise outstanding businesses in Sarawak.
“The state government is proud to be associated with such a meaningful award that recognises the contribution of the business community to the economy of the state and country,” he said.
He added that CMIEA was adopted from the national-level Industry Excellence Award (AKI), where companies are evaluated using the internationally-recognised Business Excellence Framework (BEF) as the benchmark.
“It is my hope that SBF can continue to organise the CMIEA for many years to come and in doing so, continue to strengthen the business communities in Sarawak,” said Awang Tengah.
