Australia eyes more investment in Sarawak

KUCHING: Australia and Sarawak are strengthening cooperation in renewable energy, higher education, trade and investment.

Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, Danielle Heinecke said Sarawak is an important partner in Australia-Malaysia relations, with extensive potential for cooperation, particularly in energy transition, future skills development and infrastructure investment.

“We are in Sarawak to meet the Premier and discuss areas of cooperation, including Sarawak Energy, Swinburne University of Technology and its alumni,” she told the media after a courtesy on Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the Satria Pertiwi Complex here on Thursday (Oct. 8).

She said Australia is sharing technical expertise with Sarawak to explore the potential of pumped hydro technology as an energy storage system to support the transition towards renewable energy.

She added that higher education cooperation through Swinburne University of Technology and Curtin University in Sarawak also provided opportunities to expand future skills development in line with the state government’s vision under the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.

“Joint research programmes involving Swinburne University of Technology in Australia and Malaysia focus on future sectors, including energy and technology, with opportunities to expand innovation and expertise-sharing.

“Cooperation also includes exploring drone technology for the delivery of medical equipment and the more efficient use of resources to improve service delivery,” Heinecke added.

In trade and investment, Australia aims to encourage more of its companies to invest in Sarawak, particularly in the energy, ports and infrastructure sectors.