by BERNAMA / pic by TMR FILE
THE Sarawak government will live up to its commitment to creating an ideal climate for investment through business-friendly policies and initiatives to shore up the confidence of local and foreign investors, Chief Minister Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg (picture) said.
He said this was reflected in the new state Cabinet line-up that was formed after Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coasted to a landslide victory by winning 76 out of the 82 seats in the 12th State Election last month.
“The GPS government will step up our efforts in promoting entrepreneurship and investment among Sarawakians who are keen to develop and implement their projects,” he said at the Sarawak State Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2021 Presentation Ceremony yesterday.
Abang Johari said a new entity called Invest Sarawak would also be set up this year under Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan who is also state minister of International Trade and Investment.
“It is a one-stop centre where all the pre-requisites (for investments in Sarawak) will be coordinated by this particular entity, and that will make people (investors) easy to come. The allocation of land, the power, water supply, all these will be coordinated under one entity called Invest Sarawak,” he said.
Abang Johari said energy and environmental sustainability is also another new ministerial portfolio which he would hold under the new Cabinet which would emphasise the environmental-friendly economy, particularly by exploring further into hydrogen economy.
“We are consistent with the world trend, we have to balance the demand of the environment, as well as the demand for our economy to move forward. Our land-use policy, as well as our forestation, including replanting of forest and also the idea of carbon trading will be included in our future economic strategies,” he said.
The chief minister said the involvement of Sarawak businesses in investing in projects in the state would be key to realising Sarawak as a developed economy by 2030, while enhancing capacity building, including human resources along the way.
“It is for you (business community) and not for GPS, so that you can do your business and make money. We would also like our businesses to be export-oriented.
“We (Sarawak) have only 2.8 million people. A very small market. You must take your position in the marketplace regionally, if not international or global market,” he added.