KUCHING: Sarawak hopes to see the bilateral trade between Malaysia and China continue to grow stronger.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said that it is also anticipated that the matter will become one of the main driving forces for Sarawak to become a developed state by 2030.
“In 2021, the trade volume between Sarawak and China was recorded at RM27.045 billion, with RM18.633 billion in exports from Sarawak to China.
“This is for export, which is mainly based on our commodities, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), oil and minerals,” he said during the 48th Anniversary of Malaysia-China Diplomatic Relations and Mid-Autumn Festival dinner at the Shangri-La Restaurant here yesterday.
He added that the import volume from China to Sarawak for the same period amounted to RM8.4 billion.
“Despite the fact that our imports may not be high — likely due to China’s vast population —our exports to China are.
“In addition, due to our small population, few imports are made.
“However, we have the resources, and I am sure that our Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to China Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, will also continue to promote Sarawak to China,” he said.
On the 48th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China, Abang Johari said this saw Malaysia became the first ASEAN nation to have formal diplomatic relations with China and to have bilateral trade between the two countries.
“This (bilateral trade) has been growing year after year, full of vitality, and has also brought a huge surplus to our country.
“It has made a huge contribution to the economic growth of our country, of which Sarawak also accounts for a sizable proportion,” he said.
Several projects in Sarawak were also addressed by Abang Johari, including the Batang Lupar Bridge project, which is being carried out in collaboration with companies from China.
Also present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China Xing Weiping, Kuching-China Trades Importers and Exporters Association (KCTIEA) president Datuk Yii Ming Tang and organising chairman of the dinner Datuk Sim Kiang Chiok.
