Awg Tengah highlights collab opportunities in visit to Queensland

KUCHING (Aug 15): Sarawak’s natural resources, flora and fauna, and arable land for agriculture, extensive mineral deposits and large reserves of petroleum and natural gas present opportunities for collaborations between the state and Australia, said Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

The Deputy Premier said these include collaboration with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and its advanced facilities in scientific research and sustainable forest management.

Awang Tengah, who is also Second Natural Resources and Urban Development Minister and International Trade, Industry and Investment Minister, said this when making a courtesy call on Queensland Deputy Premier Cameron Dick, who is also Treasurer of the state of Queensland and Trade and Investment Minister.

During the meeting, he added, they also discussed several issues of importance and collaboration between Sarawak, Malaysia and Australia.

Also present was Queensland’s Mount Ommaney MP Jessica Pugh.

In elaborating, Awang Tengah said Sarawak has recently achieved many successes by making significant strides in sustainability while becoming an attractive investment destination within the heart of Southeast Asia.

“Sarawak has developed the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 and aspires to be a developed region by 2030.

“Our aspiration is to be a thriving society driven by data and innovation where everyone enjoys economic prosperity, social inclusivity and environmental sustainability,” he added, noting that the PCDS outlined initiatives under six economic sectors; namely manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, forestry, mining and social services.

He also said Sarawak is among the most preferred investment destinations in Malaysia as it is viewed favourably by Australian investors, particularly in sustainable development.

“Several potential investment projects by Australian investors in green economy development such as hydrogen and green metals for the electric vehicle sector are in serious discussions.

“In the aspect of forestry sector, Sarawak is embarking on a collaboration with Australia on Planted Forest activity including Forest Plantation Management, research and development,” he said.

In the mining sector, he said Sarawak is also focusing on the development of downstream mineral produces and commodities in view that Australia is one of the world’s leading producers of mineral commodities.

“In line with Sarawak’s green and sustainability initiatives, renewable energy has become a major attraction for investors seeking to reduce their carbon footprint.

“These create a dynamic environment for investors to invest in sustainable and renewable energy solutions,” he added.

In light of these initiatives, Awang Tengah said Sarawak is emerging as a leader in hydrogen economy development.

“Our hydropower provides a sustainable and affordable energy source for Sarawak to become a hydrogen hub.

“This new economy offers investment opportunities including developing advanced electrolysers and fuel cells, creating sustainable storage solutions and transportation networks,” he said.

He also shared that Sarawak is also becoming a major player in the Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) industry in Southeast Asia.

“CCUS will enable low-cost low-carbon hydrogen production to support decarbonisation efforts.

“To support this, Sarawak is the first in Malaysia to pass the laws that enable CCUS and carbon related activities including Forest Carbon Activity to be carried out in Sarawak,” he remarked.

It was shared that Australia remains among the top destinations for many Sarawakians, especially for tourism and education.

“Sarawak is also popular with Australians, with arrivals from Australia increasing from 7,824 in 2022 to 17,827 in 2023.

“The popularity of Australian education is manifested when two Australian universities, namely Curtin University of Technology and Swinburne University of Technology, have already established their campuses in Sarawak,” said Awang Tengah.

The meeting also saw the signing and exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Australia Malaysia Business Council (AMBC) and Sarawak Australia Business Chamber (SABC).

The MoU focused on promoting bilateral trade and investment between Sarawak and Australia with the hope that it would pave the way for more bilateral activities in trade, investment, tourism, education, and many others.

Sarawak’s delegation included Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment advisor Dato Sri Naroden Majais, State Attorney-General Datu Saferi Ali, Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development permanent secretary Datu Abdullah Julaihi, State Forest Department director Datu Hamden Mohammad, Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) controller Jack Liam, Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) general manager Zainal Abidin and Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) general manager Abang Arabi Abang Aimran.