Special Economic Zones can foster regional growth: Awang Tengah

KUCHING: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan has called for Special Economic Zones (SEZ) to foster regional growth, especially along the Sarawak-Kalimantan border.

In making this call, he said there is potential of establishing SEZ at key gateways, particularly at the Tebedu-Entikong area.

“This effort would enhance cross border trade, unlock resource development and integrate supply chains for the mutual benefit of Sarawak and Kalimantan,” he said.

Towards this end he called on the Asian Development Bank, Asean Secretariat, and Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East Asean Growth Area (Bimp-Eaga) partners to formulate concrete plans for Special Economic Zones.

He said this during the  6^th Chief Ministers, Governors, and Local Government Forum (CMLGF) held in conjunction with the 27^th Bimp-Eaga Ministerial Meeting 2024 in Kota Kinabalu today (Oct 16).

Awang Tengah, who is Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment also called for active private sector participation, supported by clear government strategies, attractive incentives, and transparent processes to drive regional development and achieve common goals.

During the forum, he also highlighted the crucial role of Bimp-Eaga in driving socio-economic development and strengthening its position in the global economy, as the region marks 30 years of cooperation. 

He stressed the importance of collaboration among member countries, leveraging each region’s unique strengths to achieve mutual socio-economic benefits and enhance trade and investment. 

Meanwhile, the CMLGF was chaired by Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Joachim Gunsalam.

It serves as a platform that brings together leaders from Sarawak, Sabah, and Labuan, as well as provincial leaders from the Bimp-Eaga region.

Later, Awang Tengah also attended the 27^th Bimp-Eaga Ministerial Meeting chaired by Minister of Economy Rafizi Ramli.