S’wak records RM193.4 bln in trade in 2023; Awg Tengah urges SMEs to align with market demands

KUCHING (Aug 16): Sarawak recorded total trade of RM193.4 billion in 2023, where RM130.8 billion were exports and RM62.6 billion were imports, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

He stated in 2023, the main traded items were mineral fuels, palm oil, and electrical and electronic products, while the key imports comprised intermediate, consumer, and capital goods.

“The major exports from Sarawak in 2023 were mining totalling RM76.9 billion, manufacturing totalling RM35.8 billion and agriculture totalling RM17.4 billion.

“Some of the major contributors include liquefied natural gas (LNG), crude petroleum and condensates worth RM76.9 billion, metals, wood, chemicals and electrical and electronic products worth RM31.4 billion, and palm oil and palm-based products worth RM16 billion,” he said in his keynote address at the Sarawak Export Day 2024 officiation ceremony held at Imperial Hotel here today.

Awang Tengah, who is Minister of International Trade, Industry, and Investment Sarawak (Mintred), emphasised that Sarawak’s import-export sector plays a crucial role in the state’s economy with considerable growth potential.

However, he noted that success in the sector requires a clear understanding and adherence to market demands, regulations, and certifications, including stringent standards for product safety, quality, and environmental sustainability.

On the event, Awang Tengah highlighted that its primary objectives are to equip small and medium enterprises in Sarawak with essential export guidelines and to introduce the various government assistance programmes and services provided by key stakeholders in the export ecosystem.

Sarawak Export Day 2024 was organised by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) in collaboration with the Sarawak government, said Board Member Dato Mohammad Medan Abdullah.

According to Mohammad Medan, this marks the third time Export Day has been held in Sarawak, following the events in 2016 and 2018. He also shared that Matrade plans to organise Export Day in six states this year, namely Melaka, Penang, Sarawak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Perak.

At the event, Awang Tengah presented certificates of appreciation to two successful Sarawak exporters under Matrade’s programme, Kit Hin Company Sdn Bhd and Kim Hin Industry Berhad.