State is looking to future of sustainable development for steady economic growth

KUCHING: Sarawak is cautiously looking into the future of sustainable development, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. 
 
He said this included in the areas of green technology, semiconductors, information, agriculture, infrastructure and the establishment of the Sarawak Sovereign Fund. 
 
“This is to lay a solid foundation for the sustainable and steady growth of Sarawak’s economy,” he said. 
 
He said this during the 48th Anniversary of Malaysia-China Diplomatic Relations and Mid-Autumn Festival dinner at the Shangri-La Restaurant here yesterday.
 
Abang Johari also said that in the era of the 21st century and the era of advanced information, the business environment is very different from before, in which there are many variables and it is highly competitive at any time.
 
“The business organisations, including the government, must all be prepared for the challenges to move forward steadily,” he said. 
 
He added Sarawak is a responsible government when, after the COVID-19 pandemic, it immediately launched the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, whose main policy includes social inclusivity as well as adding value to the natural resources. 
 
“The state is also going towards a digital economy and emphasising sustainability. 
 
“Hence, the state Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability, including the Ministry of International Trade and Industries, was set up to monitor and foster economic relations with the state’s business partners,” he said. 
 
On another note, he said since Sarawak has successfully regained the equal status of the Federation of Malaysia in accordance with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) agreement at the end of last year, the Sarawak government has gradually and orderly regained the rights that belong to the state. 
 
“This includes our rights over oil and gas in the past two years, imposing sales tax over our oil and gas, which we give back for the benefits of the people of Sarawak. 
 
“That is why we are able to assist Sarawakians through the Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS) with various aid packages, which amounted to RM6.8 billion,” he said.