SMEs backbone of state’s economy, says Awang Tengah

KUCHING: Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the state’s economy, making up to 98.5 per cent of the total business establishments and contributing significantly to employment opportunities and economic activities, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
 
“Sarawak government has provided financial and non-financial assistance to assist our SMEs during the difficult period of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
“Through BKKS 1.0 to 9.0, the state government has disbursed RM6.7 billion to the rakyat and business community to lighten their burdens during the difficult times caused by the pandemic.
 
“I would like to commend the business communities during this difficult period. The private sector, as the engine of growth, has shown resilience during the tough times of the pandemic by adopting innovation and new technology,” he said at the Sarawak Manufacturers Association (SMA) 60th Anniversary Gala Dinner at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here last night (May 13).
 
Adding on, Awang Tengah, who is also the International Trade and Investment Minister, said that for the year 2022 until the first quarter of 2023, Sarawak has approved a total investment worth RM9.6 billion for the manufacturing sector.
 
According to him, there are more potential investors who have expressed interest in investing in Sarawak and are actively engaging with the ministry on their proposed investment in green projects such as hydrogen, ammonia, steel, and sour gas.
 
“Manufacturing is an important sector that contributed RM37.2 billion, or 28.4 per cent, to the Sarawak economy and employed more than 167,000 people in 2021.
 
“This sector is expected to grow further and contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of Sarawak in the future,” he said.
 
In the meantime, Awang Tengah applauded SMA for celebrating their anniversary milestone by reaching its 60th anniversary.
 
He said that the milestone is a testament to SMA’s strength, where it has grown to a strong 200-member association of manufacturers from a broad range of industries, providing job opportunities to more than 10,000 Sarawakians.
 
“We have witnessed the growth of Sarawak industries from simple manufacturing in the early days to very sophisticated high-tech manufacturing that generates positive multiplier effects for the local economy.
 
“A good example of the high-tech industry is in Sama Jaya Free Industrial Zone, where multinational corporations from Japan, South Korea, China, and Germany have invested billions of ringgit and provided employment opportunities to 15,000 locals,” he said.
 
Awang Tengah believed the industry was capable of rapid growth, leveraging on opportunities created by the various initiatives of the government.
 
“This is where the SMA can play a more active role in elevating the productivity and efficiency of your members, as well as the manufacturing sector in Sarawak,” he said.
 
Among those present at the dinner were Deputy Minister of International Trade, Industry, and Investment Datuk Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Dr Ripin Lamat, Consul General of Brunei Darussalam in Kuching Noni Zurainah Ismi, Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuching Raden Sigit Witjaksono, SMA president Peter Chai, as well as organising chairman and SMA vice president Stephen Hii.