Abang Johari, accompanied by (to his left) Abdul Karim and Ting, is welcomed by the participants upon arrival at BCCK to launch the event. Abang Johari, accompanied by (to his left) Abdul Karim and Ting, is welcomed by the participants upon arrival at BCCK to launch the event.

KUCHING: The Sarawak government is focusing on the development of four projects – water, electricity, road and digital infrastructure – that will propel Sarawak towards a developed status by 2030.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said all the four projects were important to stimulate and diversify the economic activities in Sarawak.

He explained that while water is important for agricultural, industrial and other activities, the construction of roads like coastal roads, will encourage the opening up of land for agricultural and other activities and provide strategic improvement for transportation to connect with the Pan Borneo Highway.

Similarly, the provision of digital infrastructure and power supply would also greatly help with Sarawak’s initiative towards digital economy, Abang Johari pointed out, adding that another turbine would be added in Bakun dam to produce an additional 300 megawatts of electricity.

“As we move towards a developed state by 2030, the government will emphasise developing four projects – water, electricity, road and digital infrastructure – which are important prerequisites to achieve the goal of a developed state.

“With this direction, hopefully Sarawak can become a developed state in tandem with Industrial revolution 4.0,” Abang Johari said at the launching of Sarawak International Business Exhibition and Conference (SIBEC) 2018 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) yesterday.

The chief minister assured that the government has been prudent and cautious with her spending to prepare for economic uncertainties, like what was happening now.

“With the present economic uncertainties, Sarawak has enough fund to continue with the various infrastructure projects to stimulate its economy,” he said.

According to him, the construction of infrastructure projects would bring long-term investments to Sarawak.

Meanwhile, the chief minister announced that Sarawak’s trade office in Singapore will be operational from Jan 1 next year, adding the Sultan of Brunei has also agreed for a similar office in Bandar Seri Begawan.

A similar office will also be opened at Pontianak in Indonesia to become a communication hub for the local business fraternity. He hoped that SIBEC 2018 can become a platform and guidance to develop Sarawak.

“I believe that SIBEC 2018 and Sarawak Business Federation (SBF) can give new inputs and ideas for us to transform our economy,” the chief minister asserted.

Present were SBF president Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg, and deputy president and organising chairman Datuk Philip Ting.