TOKYO: Sarawak is looking into collaborating with the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Tourism (MLIT) to bolster the state’s port operations to make them more efficient and competitive.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said Japan’s extensive experience and success in port management offer invaluable lessons for Sarawak.
In addition, he said, Japan’s commitment to progressive improvements, sustainable consumption, and production aligns well with Sarawak’s shared interest in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“We are exploring various avenues of enhancing the ports focusing on reducing transportation costs, implementing new technologies to address manpower challenges, and improving overall port management efficiency.
“We are excited about the potential collaboration with MLIT to bolster Sarawak’s port operations, making them more efficient and competitive in the near future,” he said in a statement today.
Uggah, who is also the Minister of Infrastructure and Ports Development (MIPD), is currently on an official visit to Japan, accompanied by his two deputy ministers Datuk Majang Renggi and Aidel Lariwoo.
They had earlier paid a courtesy call on Inada Mashiro, the director-general for Ports and Harbours Bureau of the Japanese MLIT at its head office here yesterday (Aug 2). Also present was Maeda Kei, its director for International Policy, International Policy Planning Office, Ports and Harbors Bureau.
During the call, Inada shared valuable insights with the visitors on Japan’s port history and current policy direction, where there are over 1000 ports there, of which 10 are classified as international bulk strategic ports, two as international container hubs while 100 are major ports.
The rest are small ports managed by the respective prefectures and primarily dealing with fisheries and smaller cargo operations.
Uggah appreciated the information shared during the meeting; which allowed fruitful exchanges of views between his ministry and the Japanese ministry.
“Our discussions also centred on improving port efficiency as a key component of promoting global efficiency,” he added.
Others in the delegation were State Financial Secretary Datuk Seri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, MIPD Permanent Secretary Chiew Chee Yau, Sarawak Economic Planning Unit (EPU) director Lester Matthew, and Samalaju Port Authority coordinator Chin Hui Seng.
Later, Uggah and his delegation members were invited to visit one of the 10 international bulk strategic ports in Onahama yesterday.
Today, they will be visiting one of the two strategic international container hubs in Yokohama.
