MIRI: The agriculture sector will play a critical role in transforming Sarawak and accelerating its economic growth.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg saidthe sector will also be a catalyst for the state to achieve high-income status by 2030 following approval from the Brunei government to set up its trade and tourism office in Bandar Seri Begawan.
He urged Sarawakians, especially those in Miri, who own land to venture into agriculture products and grab the opportunities to do trade with Brunei.
“The (agriculture) industry will grow with the setting up of the Sarawak Trade and Tourism office (STATO) in Brunei.
“I’ve just returned from Brunei after a working visit there accompanied by Prime Minister Datuk Sri Anwar Ibrahim, whereby we met with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzudinWaddaulah and discussed matters on bilateral cooperation between Sarawak and Brunei,” he said in his speech at the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Miri Chinese New Year open house on Wednesday (Jan 25).
Abang Johari noted that Brunei is a strategic access to the global halal market, adding that the sultanate is prepared to trade with Sarawak in the agriculture sector.
Sarawak, he said, can market its agriculture products to the global halal market, such as Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
“I was made to understand that the people in Dubai people fruits such as pineapples. Perhaps, we can export our agriculture products to the Middle East via Brunei once STATO is set up,” he said.
Abang Johari also touched on smart farming which he said will become a key sector with the emergence of technologies such as the Internet of Things, adding that Sarawakians should explore new opportunities and ideas to propel the economy.
Also present were Deputy Premier and SUPP president Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Transport Minister and SUPP Miri-SibutiParliamentary Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Sri Lee Kim Shin, SUPP honorary president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam, Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts and also Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, State Secretary Datuk Seri Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki and Miri City Mayor Adam Yii Siew Sang.
