KUCHING, Feb 2022: The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government is thankful to the business community for its strong support for the coalition to continue its development and transformaton efforsts towards creating a developed and high-incmoe State by 2030.

This was said by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Opening during the Sarawak Chief Minister’s Industry Excellence Awards (CMIEA) 2021 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here tonight.

“I would like to give reassurance that the Sarawak government will continue to maintain 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,” he said.

He added that there had been an increase in reinvestment at the Samajaya High-Tech Industrial Zone, proposals for hydrogen production and downstream gas activities in Tanjong Kidurong, Bintulu, and Shell Malaysia had given some commitment to relocating its country headquarters to Miri.

“There are all signs that there is trust in the ability of the Sarawak government under GPS to provide an environment conducive to investment in Sarawak. The Sarawak government will continue to diversify its economy with special focus on the modernisation of agriculture, strengthening infrastucture, advancing tourism, and accelerating human capital development as outlined in the Post Covid Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030),” he said.

At the same time, he also urged Sarawakian business to invest in projects in the State, and gave assurance that the government will step up its effort in promoting entrepreneurship and investment among Sarawakians.

“In this vein, the Sarawak Business Federation (SBF) plays a pivotal role in coordinating the relationship between the business community and the State government, as we work together in making a Sarawak a developed state by 2030,” he said.

The third edition of the CMIEA with the theme ‘Reach for the Stars’ was hosted and organised by the Sarawak Business Federation in collaboration with the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) and supported by the Sarawak government.

CMIEA 2021 aimed to honour and recognise business in Sarawak, particularly their efforts within the past year where companies demostrated resilience in navigating Covid-19.

Also present were Deputy Chief Minister Data Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian; SBF president Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg; Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia His Excellency Dr Justin Lee; Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner to Malaysia His Excellency Mohammad Khorshed Khastagir; Assitant Minister for International Trade, Industry, and Investment Datuk Malcolm Mussen Lamoh; and event organising chairwoman Angie Kueh. - Dayak Daily