S’wak to study Eastern European model to develop Limbang, Lawas as cross-border economic hub

Awang Tengah (sixth right) at the Pesta Babulang dan Lumba Kerbau 2026 cultural night held in Limbang on June 5, 2026. Photo: TVS

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, June 6: Sarawak is looking to adopt a model currently being implemented in Eastern Europe to develop its cross-border economy when it embarks on a study visit to the region next week.

According to Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Sarawak is keen to strengthen the position its northern region—Limbang and Lawas—as a cross-border economic hub by leveraging its strategic location bordering Brunei, Kalimantan (Indonesia), Sabah, and Labuan.

““Next week, I will lead a delegation to Eastern Europe to learn how they have developed cross-border economies among neighbouring countries. They have achieved success in cross-border trade, joint border development, and tourism.

“We also have festivals and cultural tourism here. We have strengths in ecotourism and significant potential. We need to explore how to develop logistics infrastructure and support growth in e-commerce,” he said at the Pesta Babulang dan Lumba Kerbau 2026 cultural night held in Limbang on Friday (June 5), as reported by TVS.

Awang Tengah, who is also Minister for International Trade, Industry, and Investment, said that to advance cross-border economy, Sarawak is also intensifying efforts to improve infrastructure facilities, particularly in the northern part of the State.

He added that besides its potential as a cross-border hub, Limbang and Lawas are benefiting from various development initiatives through the implementation of integrated, high-impact projects.

These include the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road (SSLR), the Northern Coastal Highway (NCH), and the upcoming Trans Borneo Highway, as well as rural road development projects.

At the same time, he noted that Limbang will soon be connected to the State power grid system project, which is expected to be completed in July. Other improvements include telecommunications, clean water supply, and enhanced public service delivery through the construction of an Integrated Administrative Complex (IAC).

He also added that Limbang currently boasts the longest and one of the most beautiful riverfronts in Sarawak, along with sports facilities. — DayakDaily