BEIJING: The second edition of the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment’s Connects programme was launched in Beijing, China following its success in Guangzhou in June this year.
The launching was done by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan on Friday (Sept 1).
According to the statement, it is the Ministry’s outreach trade and investment promotion programme aimed to connect Sarawak entrepreneurs with potential partners and investors from all corners of the world.
“This is one of the Ministry’s efforts to provide more exposure to the local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and connect them with more opportunities from all over the world.
“At the same time, the ministry is engaging with investors who are keen to explore investment opportunities in Sarawak,” it said.
In line with this, it stated that the programme has received overwhelming response with Awang Tengah witnessing the signing of eleven Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) between Sarawak companies and their China partners in education, digital application and trade facilities.
“The signing of these MoUs will pave the way for more collaborations in educational and technical as well as services between Malaysia, particularly Sarawak and China,” it said.
The said programme will continue its promotional activities in China through participation in the China International Fair for Trade in Services from Sept 2 to 7 at China National Convention Centre.
It pointed out that China is an important source for trade and investment that contributes significantly to the economic development of Sarawak.
Several investors from China have made Sarawak their operational base such as for solar and steel manufacturing, it said, adding more are still in discussion.
“In the last 10 years, China companies have invested over RM17.5 billion in Sarawak mainly in manufacturing of basic metal, electrical and electronics and wood-based products.
“China is our important trading partner with total trade between Sarawak and China valued at RM36.73 billion in 2022 (2021: RM27.045 billion).
“This involves Sarawak exports to China valued at RM24.6 billion in 2022 (2021: RM18.6 billion) for items including liquefied natural gas, chemicals, minerals, edible oils, etc; and Sarawak imports from China valued at RM11.74 billion in 2022 (2021: RM8.4 billion) for items including chemicals, mineral fuel, lubricants and miscellaneous manufactured articles.”
