Courtesy call to Dr. Sim, Deputy Premier of Sarawak and Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government
Thank you very much for the courtesy call by Timothy Ong Wye Ern, newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of Invest Sarawak, a new Sarawak Gov one stop Investment centre. #investsarawak Timothy Ong, a fellow Josephian, previously was Senior Deputy Director @ Malaysian Investment Development Authority #MIDA. Head of Circular Economy, Biomass and Renewables Unit. Welcome home Timothy. Together, let’s accelerate the international network for nation building for Sarawak #SarawakFirst #jagasarawakbait2 Skh
Sarawak Budget: RM7 million for InvestSarawak 2023 to boost state’s economy
KUCHING, Nov 21: The Sarawak government remains committed to creating an ideal climate for investment through attractive policies and initiatives to shore up the confidence of both local and foreign investors. As such, a total of RM7 million has been allocated for the established InvestSarawak, an entity to attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) into the state. Finance and New Economy Minister, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the entity is to spearhead new directions by driving in local and foreign investors to uplift the state’s economy. “In this respect, we have established InvestSarawak to promote Sarawak globally towards attracting foreign direct investment,” he said when tabling the Sarawak Budget 2023 at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting today. On another note, the Premier also highlighted that the state will continue to provide platforms to assist young entrepreneurs to recover their businesses post-pandemic. “Various initiatives will continue to be implemented under the 2023 budget that ensures business continuity, among others, provision of soft loans, interest subsidies, financial assistance for start-ups, product development, capacity building, e-Commerce, and promotion and marketing,” he said. Among them are the Special Relief Fund, Targeted Relief & Recovery Facility (TRRF), and Penjana Tourism Fund (PTF) with an allocation of RM18 million while Skim Kredit Mikro Sarawak and Small and Medium Industries Loan Scheme (SPIKS) were granted RM14 million. – TVS
Up to RM1bil in green financing available to Sarawak SMEs
KUCHING: Green financing amounting to RM1bil will be available to Sarawak SMEs to adopt sustainable practices. This comes after a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed by InvestSarawak, an agency under the state International Trade and Investment Ministry, the UN Global Compact Network Malaysia and Brunei (UNGCMYB) and Alliance Bank here on Friday (Nov 10). Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the MOU would extend RM1bil in green financing for Sarawakian SMEs in sustainable-trade readiness and business resiliency towards environmental, social and governance (ESG) compliance.
InvestSarawak, UNGCMYB dan Alliance Bank metrai MoU RM1 bilion bantu pembiayaan hijau PKS – Awang Tengah
KUCHING, 10 Nov: Memorandum Persefahaman (MoU) di antara tiga pihak telah ditandatangani antara InvestSarawak, UN Global Compact Network Malaysia&Brunei (UNGCMYB) dan Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad, untuk melanjutkan RM1 bilion dalam skim pembiayaan hijau untuk Perusahaan Kecil Sederhana (PKS) di negeri ini. Timbalan Premier Sarawak Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan berkata bantuan bernilai RM1 bilion itu akan memberi tumpuan kepada pembangunan perdagangan mampan kumpulan sasar. “Dengan bekerjasama dengan pihak yang betul seperti UNGCC, ditambah dengan sokongan institusi kewangan seperti Alliance Banks, kita (Kerajaan Sarawak) boleh menyediakan peralihan yang lancar untuk PKS yang merupakan tulang belakang ekonomi kami,” katanya. Beliau berkata demikian pada Majlis Pelancaran dan Pengenalan Program Pembiayaan dan Pembangunan Inklusif Iklim, di sini, pada Sabtu. Dalam pada itu, beliau meyakini InvestSarawak akan terus membangun sekali gus mempromosikan lebih banyak inisiatif untuk memanfaatkan PKS selepas ini. Hasrat itu menurut harapan beliau agar Sarawak dapat membina rantaian bekalan yang kukuh dan berdaya tahan yang bukan sahaja bertaraf dunia, tetapi mampan dalam semua aspek. Terdahulu, Kementerian Perdangangan Antarabangsa, Industri dan Pelaburan (MINTRED) Sarawak itu mendedahkan sehingga September, Kerajaan Sarawak telah meluluskan pelaburan bernilai RM 11.3 bilion untuk sektor pembuatan. Sementara, MoU itu telah ditandatangani oleh Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif InvestSarawak, Timothy Ong, Pengarah Eksekutif UNGCC, Faroze Nadar dan Ketua Kumpulan Strategi, Pemasaran dan Pembangunan Perniagaan Bank Alliance Malaysia, Dr Aaron Sum Wei Wern. Hadir sama Penasihat MINTRED, Datuk Naroden Majais dan Pemangku Setiausaha Tetap MINTRED, Dzulkornain Masron.– TVS
Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Saksikan Pemeteraian MoU Antara InvestSarawak, Alliance Bank & UNGCMYB
Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Saksikan Pemeteraian MoU Antara InvestSarawak, Alliance Bank & UNGCMYB KUCHING: Timbalan Premier Sarawak, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan telah hadir menyaksikan upacara pemeteraian Memorandum Persefahaman (MoU) di sebuah hotel terkemuka di sini pada Jumaat. Pemeteraian MoU tersebut melibatkan tiga organisasi iaitu InvestSarawak, Alliance Bank dan Rangkaian Padat Global Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu Malaysia – Brunei (UNGCMYB). Datuk Amar Awang Tengah dalam ucapan ringkasnya berkata, perjanjian MoU antara ketiga-tiga organisasi tersebut adalah untuk menyediakan Sarawak untuk mencapai pemerdagangan antarabangsa yang mampan pada masa hadapan. “MoU ini ditandatangani untuk melanjutkan pembiayaan berjumlah RM1 bilion untuk Perusahaan Kecil dan Sederhana (PKS) Sarawak dalam kesediaan perdagangan mampan dan daya tahan perniagaan terhadap pematuhan Alam Sekitar, Sosial dan Tadbir Urus yang baik antara SarawakInvest, Alliance Bank dan UNGCMYB,” jelas beliau. Beliau menambah kerjasama ini amat penting bagi memperkasakan lagi PKS Sarawak yang merupakan salah satu tunjang ekonomi utama di negeri ini. “Dengan bekerjasama dengan pihak yang betul seperti UNGCMYB ditambah dengan sokongan Institusi Kewangan seperti Alliance Bank, kami boleh menyediakan peralihan yang lancar untuk PKS yang merupakan tulang belakang ekonomi kita,” tambah beliau lagi. Dalam perkembangan yang sama, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah turut memberi jaminan bahawa InvestSarawak akan terus membangunkan dan mempromosikan lebih banyak inisiatif seumpama ini bagi memberi manfaat kepada PKS dan perniagaan tempatan di negeri ini bagi memastikan Sarawak dapat membina rantaian bekalan yang kukuh dan berdaya tahan yang bukan sahaja bertaraf dunia tetapi mampan dalam semua aspek. Hadir sama, Timbalan Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Pelaburan Sarawak Datuk Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif InvestSarawak Timothy Ong, Pengarah Eksekutif UNGCMYB Faroze Nadar dan tetamu-tetamu jemputan yang lain. -EDISI UKAS #UKASnews #ukas5yo #SaluranInformasiRakyat #SarawakMajuMakmur
InvestSarawak jalin kerjasama dengan Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad dan UNGCMYB
Premier: Sarawak now one of preferred investment destinations in Malaysia, thanks to business-friendly policies
KUCHING (Nov 7): Sarawak’s business-friendly policies have led the state to be one of the most preferred investment destinations in Malaysia, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. He said the policies are aimed at boosting investor confidence and fostering economic growth in the state. “This is supported by the facilitation of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) into the state, particularly in high-value sectors such as renewable energy, digital technology, ecotourism, and agrotechnology. “This points to Sarawak’s commitment to attracting investments in these promising areas.” He said this in his keynote address at the Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Berhad (MIDF) Automation and Digital Forum (Sarawak Edition) at a hotel here today. His text of speech was read by Deputy Minister of International Trade and Investment, Datuk Malcolm Mussen Lamoh. In an effort to stimulate economic growth in the state, Abang Johari said the state government had allocated RM7 million to InvestSarawak, an entity aimed at attracting FDIs into Sarawak. This allocation is part of an effort to attract both local and foreign investors and drive economic development in the state, he added. Furthermore, he pointed out, the state government is also placing a strong emphasis on supporting young entrepreneurs in their business post-pandemic recovery efforts – which underscores the crucial role of entrepreneurship in fostering innovation, job creation and overall economic growth. “Specific funding allocations have been outlined for programmes like the Special Relief Fund, Targeted Relief & Recovery Facility (TRRF), Penjana Tourism Fund (PTF), Skim Kredit Mikro Sarawak, Skim Pinjaman Industri Kecil dan Sederhana (SPIKS), Graduan ke Arah Keusahawanan (Gerak), Usahawan Teknikal & Vokasional (Ustev), Transformasi Usahawan Desa Sarawak, and the ‘Go Digital Programme.’ “These allocations are aimed at supporting various segments of the entrepreneurial ecosystem,” he said.
Sarawak attracts interest for renewable energy development from United Arab Emirates
KUCHING, Nov 2: Deputy Prime Minister Dato Seri Fadillah Yusof and Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan have met with Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) chief executive officer (CEO) Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi to discuss the country’s potential investment in renewable energy projects in Sarawak. According to a press release issued today, Awang Tengah, who is also International Trade, Industry, and Investment (Mintred) Sarawak minister and Natural Resources and Urban Development second minister, welcomed Masdar to explore investment opportunities in Sarawak and explained that the development of green renewable energy, particularly solar energy, is strongly encouraged under Sarawak’s economic development strategy that incorporates sustainability. “Sarawak is very committed and serious in developing carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) and has put in place the rules, regulations, and standards to facilitate the development of this industry, one of the first in the region,” read the press release.It continued stating: “Masdar, the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, is a global leader in renewable energy and sustainable technologies. “In October this year, Masdar has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) to invest US$8 billion for up to 10 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy projects in a strategic partnership that will significantly contribute to Malaysia’s sustainable energy transformation.”The press release noted that Awang Tengah thanked Fadillah, who is also Plantation and Commodities (KPK) minister, for arranging the meeting and will facilitate the company in their endeavour as they seek out opportunities in Sarawak. Also present at the meeting were Mintred acting permanent secretary Dzulkornain Masron; Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability (Meesty) permanent secretary Abang Ahmad Morni, Land and Survey Department Sarawak director Datu Abdullah Julaihi, Petros senior vice president corporate strategy Abang Arabi Abang Narudin, Sarawak Energy Berhad (Sarawak Energy) Business Development senior manager II Nicholas Chong, Invest Sarawak CEO Timothy Ong, and senior officials from MIDA. – DayakDaily
Ports in Sarawak as key drivers for trade, economic activities
Six major ports function as crucial transhipment hubs that play integral roles in the state’s supply chain by NURUL SUHAIDI PORTS facilitate trade, transportation and economic growth. They are key connectors between land and sea, allowing for the efficient movement of goods, people and resources. As a crucial connection between sea and land movement, ports support economic activities and growth for the respective state, as well as the country. One of the factors that is expected to boost the economic growth of Sarawak is the Pan Borneo Highway (PBH), a significant infrastructure initiative that will transform transportation and accessibility in Sarawak. The 786.41km highway stretches from Teluk Melano down south up to Miri in the north and is expected to improve connectivity to the interiors of Sarawak. Transport analyst YS Chan said PBH Sarawak will be beneficial to strengthen and allow more shipments of raw material through the ports in Sarawak. “With larger areas in Sarawak made more accessible by the highway, there will be new developments such as agriculture and manufacturing, resulting in more shipments of raw materials and manufactured goods through Sarawak’s ports,” he told The Malaysian Reserve (TMR). As for the peninsula, Chan said the port in Singapore is likely to benefit more from the PBH than the ports in Johor Baru, Kuantan and Port Klang. “Singapore’s role as an ‘entrepot’ is phenomenal, as it is super-efficient, and much of our exports especially down south are sent through Singapore,” he added. According to Kuching Port Authority (KPA), the first organised port in the state, the PBH will help expedite the movement of goods into and out of Kuching Port in respect to other parts of Sarawak. On the possibility of new ports in Sarawak, KPA said the state government is conducting a feasibility study on a new deep-sea port at Tanjung Embang, Kuching. In addition to that, Rajang Port Authority (RPA) GM Helen Lim Hui Shyan said Rajang Port will take measures to complement the new highway infrastructure, which is set to provide a vital link between the hinterland and the state’s inner core. The improved connectivity can lead to increased trade, investment and business activities. In Sarawak, six ports act as a major cargo-handling transhipment ports which are the integral parts of its supply chain. They are the Bintulu, Kuching, Miri, Samalaju, Rajang and Tanjung Manis Ports. Bintulu Port Lying on the western coastline of Sarawak, near the Bintulu city, this port is the major maritime gateway to Eastern Malaysia, comprising the regions of Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan. This deepwater seaport handles petroleum and its derivatives, as well as liquefied natural gas (LNG), crude oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), urea, fertilisers, timber and palm oil. Over 7,000 ships visit the port annually, and it has a handling capacity of more than 69 million tonnes and more than 390 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU). Operated by Bintulu Port Sdn Bhd (BPSB), Bintulu Port’s location is crucial since it connects Borneo Island to other countries like Indonesia and the Philippines, where it is expected to become a major LNG trade hub. About 76% of the cargo handled at this port comprises liquid bulk. It has also witnessed appreciable growth in container traffic in recent years and handled around 348,000 TEUs in 2018. Due to its strategic position, it is expected to emerge as the region’s significant LNG trade centre. The container-handling facility and the oil wharf are now being expanded. Soon, new cargo compositions like those containing aluminium, pulp and paper, biodiesel, downstream forest products and agricultural products will pass through Bintulu Port. It is a multipurpose facility comprising three berths for handling conventional cargo, two berths for handling bulk and breakbulk, seven jetties for accommodating LNG tankers and an expansive container terminal. BPSB’s existing hinterland extends as far north as Limbang and Lawas in Sarawak and to Sabah and Brunei. In the other direction (south-east), BPSB’s coverage extends as far as Pontianak in Kalimantan, Indonesia, and Kuching. Kuching Port The KPA was established in 1961 under the Port Authorities Ordinance 1961. This port has grown to become the state’s premier port, serving numerous shipping lines connecting it to the regional hub ports. Kuching Port is equipped with two terminals, namely the Pending Terminal with an annual capacity of 2.9 million tonnes and the Senari Terminal with an annual capacity of seven million tonnes. Both have convenient access to highways and coastal routes, as well as to all major towns in Sarawak. They are also situated in close proximity to industrial estates which facilitates smooth cargo movement. Kuching Port’s main operations are handling containers, general cargo and roll-on/roll-off cargo (Ro-Ro) and vehicles. Among the top export commodities KPA deals with are steel, iron and metal products, groceries, food and beverages, dry bulk cargo, consumer products, vehicle parts, hardware and building materials, electricals and electronic apparatus, wood and timber products, as well as live animals. Serving as a trade gateway for the southern region of Sarawak, Kuching Port facilitates imports and exports. It complements other ports like Bintulu, Samalaju, Rajang, and Tanjung Manis Ports serving the central region, while Miri Port serves the northern region. Kuching Port implemented the Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) in 2023 and it plans to expand its port capacity to handle more cargo, for example, by adding a Ro-Ro yard, free zone, wharf, warehouses and container yard. KPA looks to install two new quay cranes next year. To keep up with digitalisation, KPA will also move towards computerising more of its operations, for example, online applications via mobile devices. Miri Port This port is located at the mouth of the Miri River. Known as a shallow general cargo port, it has offshore tanker facilities at Lutong and is the largest oil export port in Malaysia. The port deals with major commodities such as iron and steel, household goods, electrical appliances, machinery, heavy tractors, foodstuff, cereals, timber or sawn timber, petroleum, petroleum products and LNG. The port also has a timber terminal, as well as passenger and general
