KUCHING: Sarawak will be opening new trade offices in Singapore, Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei, and Pontianak in Indonesia.

Speaking at the Sarawak International Business Conference and Exhibition (SIBEC) 2018 today, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the trade office in Singapore is currently being set up and will start operation from Jan 1, 2019, while the two offices in Indonesia and Brunei will be additional trade offices to this.

“The Singapore Government has agreed to have our own office in Singapore which will be the hub of communication between our exporters and the business community in Singapore. We will also be further exploring the exportation of our agricultural products to Singapore, but certain standards that must be met before this can materialise.

“Similarly, I am pleased that the Sultan of Brunei has also agreed to bring our officials a d set up an office in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, and that an office in Pontianak, Kalimantan, Indonesia has also been approved, “he said during his opening speech at SIBEC 2018 held at Kuching Borneo Convention Center (BCCK) here today.

On a separate matter, the chief minister also pointed out that the state would continue on with the development project like roads, water supply, power supply and the digital infrastructure to stimulate the economy and diversify economic activities to turn Sarawak into a developed state by 2030.

For the power supply, he said another turbine would be added in Bakun dam that will produce 300megawatt of electricity. He said that this would complement Baleh and Murum dam, which would be enough for the state to initiate energy- based industry.

For the roads, he pointed out that the construction of coastal road would be a strategic improvement for transportation that will connect the Pan Borneo Highway.

“The construction of road will open up the land and become a basis to promote agricultural produce,” he elaborated.

Abang Johari also said that the state government is always about its spending in order to save during economic uncertainties like what was happening now. According to him, the trade war between China and United States and the fluctuation of the currency has somehow affected the country.

The chief minister said the World Bank and other financial institutions has projected the country’s Growth Domestic Product to slow down to 4 per cent.