KUCHING: The Sarawak Business Federation (SBF) will continue to play a pivotal role in coordinating ties between its members and the business community, and the state government.
SBF president Datuk Abang Karim Tun Openg said the federation had been playing its role together with the private sector to assist the government to transform the state into a high income developed state by 2030.
He said the federation had worked closely with the Ministry of International Trade, Industry, and Investment (MINTRED) as support from the ministry to the business community was crucial.
“SBF has chalked many milestones despite having been founded only in 2016. Driven by the Sarawak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), it was the culminative effort between all key organisations and associations to come under SBF and to speak with a united voice.
“We are fortunate our state government recognises that whilst the public sector provides the direction and framework, it is the private sector which is the engine of growth that will spur growth and get things moving.
“I wish to extend my utmost thanks and appreciation to the state government and we hope we are able to continue to leverage on this good relationship to make Sarawak a much sought after investment destination,” he said in his speech during the Singapore business delegation networking dinner at Pullman Hotel here, last night
Abang Karim said the SBF had led trade missions abroad such as to Pontianak in Kalimantan Barat, Victoria in Australia and Singapore in 2018, followed by a trade mission to Jakarta and Bandung to promote border trade activities in 2019.
Prior to hosting the delegates from the Singapore Business Federation and Enterprise Singapore from July 11 to 14 this year, he said Singapore had reciprocated with a business mission to Sarawak back in 2019.
“Regional cooperation is important to us as we urge our counterparts and investors to uncover as well as tap into Sarawak’s potentials and what it has to offer.
“We look forward to reciprocal trade missions moving forward,” he added.
