Sarawak Strengthens Strategic Investment Ties with China at Shanghai Roundtable
SHANGHAI: Sarawak reaffirmed its position as a competitive investment destination and Southeast Asia’s emerging green energy hub during the Sarawak-China Strategic Investment Roundtable held at Alila Hotel, Shanghai. Led by Sarawak Deputy Premier and Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, the high-level engagement brought together Sarawak’s delegation, Chinese investors, industry associations and business leaders to explore investment opportunities and strategic cross-border partnerships. The roundtable focused on investment opportunities across Sarawak’s priority sectors, including advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, the digital economy and green technology. Discussions also explored potential technology transfer between Sarawak and Chongqing investors, as well as collaboration in smart infrastructure development incorporating robotics and artificial intelligence applications. Other areas of interest included circular economy initiatives, particularly waste-to-energy solutions and sustainable materials, alongside the development of digital infrastructure and high-performance computing ecosystems. These sectors align with Sarawak’s ambition to build a more diversified, technology-driven and environmentally sustainable economy under the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030. Speaking at the roundtable, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah emphasised that Sarawak was seeking long-term partnerships that would generate mutual value, strengthen local capabilities and support sustainable industrial development. “Sarawak is not merely seeking investment; we are offering strategic partnership,” he said. He highlighted Sarawak’s competitive advantages, including its strategic location within Southeast Asia, access to approximately 680 million consumers across ASEAN, competitive utility rates and abundant renewable energy. With clean hydropower accounting for more than 70 per cent of the state’s electricity generation, Sarawak offers a compelling proposition for companies seeking to decarbonise and expand their regional operations. Sarawak and China have established strong economic ties, with Chinese investors committing more than RM25 billion across sectors such as solar energy, wood-based industries, drones and battery storage. Bilateral trade between Sarawak and China reached RM26.8 billion in 2024, reflecting the growing depth of the relationship. The roundtable also witnessed the signing of six agreements between Sarawakian and Chinese business entities. These comprised four Memoranda of Agreement covering cooperation in the construction and robotics industries and two Memoranda of Understanding relating to the exploration and development of Sarawak’s mining industry. The agreements are expected to create further opportunities for investment, technology transfer and industrial collaboration while strengthening local value chains and generating high-value employment opportunities for Sarawakians. Sarawak is also pursuing partnerships that support workforce development and knowledge transfer. These include potential collaboration with education technology providers to develop vocational capabilities and equip the local workforce with skills relevant to emerging industries. InvestSarawak Chief Executive Officer Timothy Ong joined the roundtable and engagements with prospective investors. Together with the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment Sarawak, InvestSarawak reaffirmed its commitment to providing investors with end-to-end facilitation throughout their investment journey, including support for project development, approvals, licensing, utilities and industrial land allocation. The Sarawak delegation included Deputy Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh; Sarawak Financial Secretary and Chairman of SMD Semiconductor Dato Sri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar; Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment Sarawak Datu Lester Matthew; InvestSarawak Chief Executive Officer Timothy Ong; and SMD Semiconductor Chief Executive Officer Shariman Jamil. Representatives from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation in Shanghai (MATRADE) also participated in the mission, supporting Sarawak’s continued efforts to deepen international economic relations and position the state as a strategic gateway for high-quality investment into ASEAN.
Sarawak Deepens Engagement with Technology and Industrial Leaders in Shanghai
SHANGHAI: Sarawak Deputy Premier and Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment Sarawak (MINTRED) Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan led a high-level dialogue with chief executive officers and senior representatives from leading technology and industrial companies in Shanghai to explore potential collaborations in advanced and future-oriented industries. Organised by InvestSarawak as part of Sarawak’s targeted investment mission, the closed-door session brought together representatives from Isabellenhütte, Microsat Shanghai (Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of the Chinese Academy of Sciences), Bosch Hydrogen Powertrain Systems (Chongqing), Suzhou Fengju Energy Technology (Beeblock), Hörmann Group, Shanghai New International Expo Centre, Shine, Altera New Materials and Space Green Energy Investment. Discussions focused on opportunities across advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, aerospace, renewable energy, water technology, satellite applications and sustainable mobility, including hydrogen technologies and sustainable fuels. The dialogue also explored potential partnerships in precision manufacturing, industrial infrastructure, bamboo-based industries and the development of renewable energy and semiconductor value chains. During the session, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah reaffirmed the Sarawak Government’s commitment to understanding investors’ operational requirements and building mutually beneficial partnerships. “We are not here simply to promote Sarawak. We are here to understand what you need and explore what we can build together,” he said. Sarawak is positioning itself as Asia’s trusted investment partner and a strategic China+1 location for sustainable, high-value manufacturing. Its location within Southeast Asia, access to ASEAN’s growing market, abundant renewable energy resources, strategic minerals and expanding industrial infrastructure provide a strong foundation for companies seeking to grow amid global digital and green transitions. Datuk Amar Awang Tengah also highlighted Sarawak’s ambitions for the semiconductor industry through SMD Semiconductor and the Sarawak Semiconductor Roadmap 2030. The roadmap aims to generate RM30 billion in contribution from the sector by 2030, with an emphasis on higher-value activities such as integrated circuit design, compound semiconductors, advanced packaging, and semiconductor applications for the automotive and aerospace industries. Through InvestSarawak, the Sarawak Government remains committed to providing prospective investors with end-to-end facilitation throughout their investment journey, covering project development, regulatory approvals, licensing, utilities and industrial land allocation. The Sarawak delegation included Deputy Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment Sarawak (MINTRED) Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh; Sarawak Financial Secretary and Chairman of SMD Semiconductor Dato Sri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar; Permanent Secretary to the International Trade, Industry and Investment Sarawak (MINTRED) Datu Lester Matthew; InvestSarawak Chief Executive Officer Timothy Ong; SMD Semiconductor Chief Executive Officer Shariman Jamil; Consul (Investment) and MIDA Director Shanghai Muhammad Sawaddee Islamuddin; and Consul (Trade) and MATRADE Director Shanghai Norman Dzulkarnain Mohd Nasri.
