Pontianak trade office eyes mid-2027 opening

KUCHING: Sarawak is targeting the middle of next year to begin operations at its new Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office (STTO) in Pontianak, Indonesia.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said a building for the office has already been identified, with renovation works required before it can commence operations.

“We have already identified the building, and it needs to undergo renovation.

“Hopefully, we can start operating by next year, maybe by the middle of next year,” he said when met by reporters after officiating at the Micro-Entrepreneur Award Ceremony and WellBest Carnival 2026 at Metrocity Event Centre (MCEC) here today (Oct 4).

Awang Tengah speaks to the press.

Awang Tengah, who is also the Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment, said preparations also involve establishing a corporate entity in accordance with Indonesian regulations and appointing a chief executive officer (CEO) to head the office.

However, he noted that Sarawak must first secure official regulatory approval from the Indonesian government through the relevant ministry.

The Pontianak office will expand Sarawak’s overseas trade and tourism presence, complementing existing offices in Singapore and Brunei.

Speaking earlier in his speech, Awang Tengah stressed that establishing overseas trade offices is vital to helping local entrepreneurs access international markets beyond Sarawak’s relatively small domestic base.

He encouraged micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to leverage digital platforms, international networks, and state trade initiatives to broaden their market reach.

In addition to Pontianak, Sarawak is planning to establish a trade office in Abu Dhabi to tap into Middle Eastern markets.

Awang Tengah revealed that the Abu Dhabi branch will be jointly managed by Petroliam Nasional Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) and Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB).

Unlike Pontianak, a physical site for the Abu Dhabi premise has yet to be finalized.

“It is already in the plan. Hopefully, they can proceed with negotiations to identify the right building,” he said.