KUCHING: Singapore and Sarawak have underlined their commitment to further promote and elevate their strategic partnership and co-operation. As such, to further develop and enhance existing relations in various sectors, emphasis on the key features are to be made at three levels — government-togovernment (G2G), business-tobusiness (B2B) and people-topeople (P2P).
“We are honoured to visit the chief minister with whom we had a very good discussion on how we can further enhance bilateral investments, trade and tourism links,” said Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Education Chee Hong Tat, who led a delegation to pay a courtesy call on Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at Wisma Bapa Malaysia, last Saturday. “I think if we can strengthen our linkages at all three levels over time we can create more wealth and opportunities to benefit our businesses and our people.”
Chee noted that the setting up of the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office (Statos) in Singapore recently was a very good start as it can enhance further collaboration. “The chief minister and I have discussed some specific matters. One promising area pertains to food, agrofood industry and agropark. I think that’s the area where our needs and strengths can complement each other,” he said. “Sarawak is a source of many good quality food products. Some of our companies may be interested in investing in food manufacturing and processing and export.”
On the tourism sector, Chee said Singapore and Sarawak could play to their strengths to complement each other. “We discussed the possibility of doing joint marketing and promotion to attract tourists from Europe, China, India, US and Australia when they come to Southeast Asia. We can get them to spend some time in Singapore and Sarawak. “Cruising is also a possibility.
They (tourists) can fly to Singapore, take a cruise and come here before flying home. There are many possibilities,” he said. The Singapore delegation comprised Deputy High Commissioner of Singapore to Malaysia Loy Hui Chien, First Secretary (Political) at the High Commission of Singapore in Kuala Lumpur Yang Xin Tian, Ministry of Trade and Industry Southeast Asia and Oceania deputy director Foo Cher How, its senior assistant director Melissa Lee, assistant director Joanne Tan and Enterprise Singapore deputy director Wu Hongyi plus its regional director Neoh Yi Liang. Th e d e l e gat i o n wa s accompanied by Statos chief executive officer Chew Chang Guan.
