Peninsula-based firms eyeing investment prospects in Sarawak

KUCHING (April 4): Peninsula-based companies engaged in healthcare, urban development, semiconductors and other related sectors are exploring collaboration and investment opportunities in Sarawak.

This was indicated during a follow-up visit on Thursday hosted by InvestSarawak, following the earlier facilitation of a Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science and Technology (CREST) Penang visit in January.

The programme brought together former national health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, as well as CREST leadership and senior industry figures from Peninsular Malaysia, for strategic discussions with Sarawak ministries, agencies and ecosystem players.

“The visit reflected continued interest in Sarawak’s strategic growth sectors, particularly healthcare and digital health, urban regeneration, semiconductors and electronics, advanced manufacturing, connected technologies, automotive electronics, IC (integrated circuit) design, food security and industrial connectivity,” said InvestSarawak in a statement.

The participating organisations also included UCSI Healthcare, Cnergenz Berhad, Communication 21, Think City, Clarion Malaysia, ACO Tech, Filpal and Oppstar Berhad, alongside senior semiconductor industry representatives.

They had engagements with Deputy Premier and state Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, as well as Deputy Premier and state Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

Agencies and institutions relevant to healthcare, urban planning, digital economy, semiconductors, agriculture and investment facilitation also participated in the engagements.

Areas of interest discussed included the semiconductor value chain, food security and agriculture technology, high-value timber and downstream forestry applications, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies, as well as broader high-technology industries requiring long-term talent development and ecosystem support.

The delegation also attended sessions involving the Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre and the Clinical Research Centre, Institute for Clinical Research (NIH), before joining a ‘Think City’-related engagement chaired by Dr Sim with participation from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development, the Sarawak Natural Resources and Environment Board, and local authorities including Kuching North City Commission, Kuching South City Council, Miri City Council, Bintulu Development Authority, Padawan Municipal Council, Sibu Municipal Council and Kota Samarahan Municipal Council.

A session at Wisma Sumber Alam here brought together the teams from the Economic Planning Unit Sarawak, Malaysian Investment Development Authority Sarawak, Sarawak Multimedia Authority, Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation, SMD Semiconductor, X-FAB, Melexis, the Department of Agriculture Sarawak, the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Sarawak, and also InvestSarawak.

“Sarawak welcomes serious, long-term partnerships that create value, build capabilities and support sustainable growth,” said Awang Tengah in a statement.

“This visit reflected the growing interest from Peninsular Malaysia’s industry players in Sarawak’s opportunities across healthcare, urban development, semiconductors, digital technologies and advanced manufacturing.

“It also highlighted the importance of collaboration between industry, academia and government in building the skilled workforce needed to support future investments in high-value sectors and strengthen Sarawak’s long-term competitiveness.”

Meanwhile, Dr Sim said Sarawak would always welcome serious collaborations that could contribute to the state’s priorities in healthcare, liveable cities, innovation and long-term development.

“The range of expertise represented in this delegation is relevant to where Sarawak wants to go.

“Our values guide Sarawak’s growth and policy making. It is important to pass on the right values to the next generation, in pursuit of nation building.”

CREST chief executive officer Jaffri Ibrahim remarked: “This visit is a useful platform to connect capabilities from Peninsular Malaysia with Sarawak’s priorities in high-value sectors.

“There is clear room for collaboration, particularly in areas where technology, industrial development and ecosystem-building come together.”

Adding on, InvestSarawak chief executive officer Timothy Ong said: “InvestSarawak is pleased to support these discussions and help connect companies and ecosystem players with the relevant stakeholders in Sarawak.”