STATOB set to boost bilateral trade ties 

LIMBANG: Business relations between Brunei and Sarawak, especially in the Limbang and Lawas districts are set to strengthen through the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office in Brunei Darussalam (STATOB).

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said this includes collaborations with small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

“We can improve cooperation in terms of products and services, not only to access Brunei’s markets but also to expand into larger markets,” he said.

Awang Tengah, who is also the Bukit Sari assemblyman, said this during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Bukit Mas Festival at the Limbang Waterfront Amphitheatre on Saturday.

He said STATOB would serve as a vital platform for cooperation on shared interests, including joint planning for border development between Sarawak and Brunei.

“Brunei’s vast air connectivity and excellent port infrastructure make it more than just a hub for cross-border trade. We can also explore investment opportunities and areas for broader collaboration,” he added.

Awang Tengah also said the Sarawak government is focused on developing the agriculture and livestock industries.

He said buffalo farming has been given special attention, with Limbang and Lawas identified as buffalo production areas.

“We can work with Brunei to leverage their halal branding. Sarawak also has its own halal certification, and Brunei’s extensive air links will help us expand further,” he said.