Sarawak to intensify drive for high-quality strategic investments, says Awang Tengah

KUCHING (Jan 13): Sarawak will intensify efforts to attract high-quality strategic investments, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

The Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment said the focus on high quality investments is a key priority under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), which represents the final phase of Sarawak’s journey towards achieving developed region status by 2030.

Awang Tengah said Sarawak is targeting investments that generate long-term economic value rather than short-term gains.

“Our focus is on attracting high-quality strategic investment that creates skilled jobs, transfers knowledge, supports innovation and aligns with our development agenda,” he said at the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment (Mintred) Excellent Service Awards (APC) 2025 dinner last night.

To further strengthen Sarawak’s investment ecosystem, Awang Tengah said the state would develop a single, integrated digital platform for business and investment services to improve the ease of doing business.

The platform, he said, would integrate licensing, permits and approvals, enable online submissions, provide real-time tracking and support end-to-end facilitation, including post-investment services and business expansion.

“This will improve transparency, accountability and efficiency in government service delivery, while enhancing Sarawak’s competitiveness as an investment destination,” he said.

Awang Tengah said Sarawak had attracted RM105.9 billion in total investments from 2021 until the third quarter of 2025, reflecting sustained investor confidence in the state.

He said the investment inflows were driven by both domestic and foreign investors, supported by prudent policies and a clear long-term development vision.

On trade performance, Awang Tengah said Sarawak continued to maintain a healthy trade surplus, supported by resilient exports.

“In 2024, Sarawak’s total trade grew by 2.7 per cent to RM198.7 billion, with exports increasing by 3.1 per cent to RM134.9 billion and imports rising by 1.9 per cent to RM63.8 billion, resulting in a stronger trade surplus of RM71.1 billion,” he said.

He said the development of high-quality investments would go hand in hand with strengthening local participation, particularly among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Since 2021, Awang Tengah said Mintred programmes had benefited more than 10,200 MSMEs, with total approvals amounting to RM220.3 million.

Its programmes included Sarawak Bumiputera Entrepreneurship Acceleration Programme (Gerak), Upgrading Skills, Technology and Entrepreneurship Value Chain Programme (Ustev), Go Digital Programme, Skim Kredit Mikro Sarawak (SKMS) and Small and Medium Industry Loan Scheme (SPIKS).

He added that financial assistance from federal and Sarawak government agencies, including Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), SME Corp Malaysia and the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), had supported more than 358,000 MSMEs, with cumulative approvals amounting to RM2.8 billion.

At the event, Awang Tengah congratulated recipients of the Excellent Service Awards, describing them as a reflection of professionalism, integrity and commitment among Mintred officers and staff.

He also expressed appreciation to outgoing permanent secretary Dzulkornain Masron for his leadership, while welcoming Datu Lester Matthew as the new permanent secretary.

“The success of our investment agenda depends on strong institutions and dedicated officers who deliver with integrity and professionalism,” he said.

Among those present at the event were Deputy Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh and Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment advisor Dato Sri Mohd Naroden Majais.