ABU DHABI: The Sarawak government plans to open an office in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) to strengthen strategic cooperation with the country.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the office aims to strengthen collaboration not only with the UAE but also with other Middle Eastern and Asean countries while facilitating technology sharing with Abu Dhabi.
“Abu Dhabi already has a data centre powered by renewable energy through solar, which they share with investors.
“If we see alignment between the Middle East and us, we might create close cooperation between the Middle East and Asean, fostering a strong relationship between the Middle East and us in Asia,” he said during a press conference following his visit to Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, on Tuesday (Nov 5), as part of his working visit to the UAE.
Abang Johari also said the Abu Dhabi office would serve a similar role to the Sarawak-Singapore Trade and Tourism Office (STATOS), Sarawak-Brunei Trade and Tourism Office (STATOB), and Sarawak-Kalimantan Trade and Tourism Office.
The specific location of the Sarawak office in Abu Dhabi, however, is still under consideration.
If finalised, the office will be managed by Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) and Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), he added.
Also present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi, State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh, and Sarawak Energy Group CEO Datuk Sharbini Suhaili.
