Sarawak considering to build new international airport in Kuching, says Premier
KUCHING (May 15): Sarawak plans to develop a new international airport in Kuching to support the growth of the aviation industry in the state, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. According to him, the construction of an international airport is necessary considering Sarawak’s air traffic is increasing and the insufficient facilities at the existing Kuching International Airport (KIA). “We are studying plans to build a new international airport due to the increase in our (air) traffic. “We are also looking at the international airport building now, I think there are not enough facilities with the increase in the number of flights and passenger traffic,” he told reporters at the lobby of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex here today. He was asked after he said during his winding-up speech that the Sarawak government planned to develop a new international airport following the acquisition of MASwings. The effort, he said, will make Sarawak another regional aviation hub for Asean. Commenting further on the matter, Abang Johari said it was time for Sarawak to have a new international airport because the existing KIA has exceeded its capacity to handle more traffic. “We will inform you about the location later. What is certain is that it will be developed in Kuching, because the international airport has to be in Kuching because we want it to be an aviation hub. “We already have a hub for ports, this time we need a hub for flights. It’s not only for passengers but for cargo, meaning it works as a commercial hub,” he explained. Regarding the funds to build the new Kuching international airport, Abang Johari said the matter would be discussed with Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB). “Whether MAHB will be our partner to develop this airport depends on the availability of funds. “Perhaps we will develop together with MAB to build this new international airport,” he said. When asked on what will happen to the existing KIA, Abang Johari said it could be turned into an airport for chartered jets or private planes. “Of course the question is that the current KIA is sufficient or not in terms of capacity… so we need a new international airport, only after that we will see what can be done on the existing KIA,” he said.
Sarawak estimated to possess high value mineral resources worth RM1.252 trillion
KUCHING, May 14: Sarawak is estimated to possess high value mineral resources for the energy industry and downstream manufacturing industry worth more than RM1.252 trillion. Natural Resources and Urban Development II Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the estimated value is based on the records of Sarawak’s Department of Minerals and Geosciences Malaysia. These mineral resources are deposited across an area of approximately 39,824 square kilometers or 3,982,400 hectares, which involves 32 per cent of the area of Sarawak. The Sarawak government has thus requested for a larger allocation for Department of Minerals and Geosciences Malaysia, Sarawak from the Federal government so that the study on the existence of mineral resources in Sarawak can be carried out more extensively. “This geological study and mapping is very important to enable land use planning and the development of mineral-based industries to be made in detail and comprehensively by the government,” said Awang Tengah when delivery his ministerial winding-up speech in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) here today. He said in the development of mineral-based industries, the Sarawak government is currently trying to develop downstream industries especially those based on silica sand for the manufacturing of photovoltaic glass (PV glass) which is essential for solar power generation (green energy) and limestone for the clinker and cement industry. “In addition, the government is also studying the potential of an industry based on high-value strategic minerals, namely Non-Radioactive Rare Earth Elements (NR-REE). “NR-REE is needed in various manufacturing industries such as magnetics, phosphorus, ceramics, metal alloys, defence and so on,” said the Bukit Sari assemblyman (GPS-PBB). — DayakDaily
Sarawak approves SST on export of ferroalloys and polysilicon, says Deputy Premier
KUCHING: Sarawak has approved the introduction of state sales tax (SST) on the export of ferroalloys and polysilicon as part of efforts to diversify revenue sources, says Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah. The Deputy Premier said the tax would be imposed at the rate of 1.5% effective Sept 1 this year. “This is a fair and reasonable rate for the affected companies as they enjoy tax incentives from the Federal Government and favourable power rates from the state. “The revenue generated from this source will give us fiscal flexibility in enhancing our socioeconomic development efforts which include, among others, implementing clean and renewable energy initiatives,” he said in his winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly sitting here on Wednesday (May 15). Uggah also said Sarawak collected RM14mil from SST on the export of selected timber products last year. He said that for this year, the state was projected to collect RM33mil from the tax, which was imposed effective June 1 last year. “Moving forward, the Sarawak government will continue to explore new opportunities to enhance and diversify our revenue sources. “This is imperative as we continue to pursue our development agenda so that no one will eventually be left behind,” he said. In addition, Uggah said Sarawak’s revenue was projected to be RM12.749bil this year. He said RM4.798bil or 38% of the projected revenue had been collected as of March 31. “Based on the performance thus far, we are confident we can achieve the targeted revenue projection for this year, barring any unfavourable circumstances at the global geopolitical level which could adversely affect oil and gas markets,” he added.
Awang Tengah receives courtesy call from Kuwait petroleum firm delegation
KUCHING (Jan 19): Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan received a courtesy call from Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC) at his office in Wisma Sumber Alam here yesterday. According to a news release, the KUFPEC delegation was led by its country manager Mohamad Al-Sabti. Awang Tengah, who is International Trade, Industry and Investment Minister, chaired the meeting which was held to discuss investment opportunities between Sarawak and KUFPEC in oil and gas. Also present were Deputy International Trade, Industry and Investment Minister Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh and representatives from Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros), Sarawak Energy Berhad and InvestSarawak.
Sarawak keen to work with EU in tackling climate change
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg (third left) launching InvestSarawak at the EU-Malaysia Business Day networking dinner in Kuching on Wednesday (Feb 14) night. – ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star KUCHING: Sarawak is keen to work with the European Union (EU) on mitigating climate change, says Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. The Premier said the EU had experience and technology while Sarawak’s strength was in its natural resources and renewable energy. “Although we are a small state, we feel we have the responsibility to assist in addressing climate change and reducing carbon emissions. “You are welcome to explore which areas you can collaborate with us on this and together we can help the world,” he said at the EU-Malaysia Business Day networking dinner here on Wednesday (Feb 14) night. Abang Johari said other potential areas of collaboration were in digitalisation and education. “Perhaps we can send our students to study in Europe,” he said. Abang Johari also launched InvestSarawak, the state’s investment and trade agency, at the same event. InvestSarawak will serve as a one-stop centre and first point of contact for all investors in the state. It will be the key facilitator for investors in the development, applications and approvals for investment projects in Sarawak, besides improving the ease of doing business. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said InvestSarawak was a pivotal initiative which aimed to transform the investment landscape, increase trade and improve talent attraction in the state. “It will play a key role serving as facilitator and adviser to provide invaluable local insights to all investors, both foreign and domestic,” he said.
23 European Union Delegates Arrived Safely in Sarawak
Abang Johari (2nd right) at the launch of InvestSarawak while (from left) Ong, Awang Tengah and Julaihi look on. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni KUCHING: The establishment of InvestSarawak is a pivotal initiative by the Sarawak government to facilitate the ease of doing business in the state. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said InvestSarawak is a one-stop centre (OSC) that aims to transform the investment landscape, increase trade and talent attraction for Sarawak. “InvestSarawak will play a key role serving as facilitator and adviser to provide invaluable local insights to all investors, both foreign and domestic. “They are also under the purview of my ministry, which is the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment (MINTRED),” he said in his speech during the launching of InvestSarawak and EU Business Day 2024 networking dinner here last night (Feb 14). Invest Sarawak is the state’s investment and trade agency that will play the role of the first point of contact for all investors. In addition, it will act as the key facilitator to all investors across sectors in the development, applications and approvals for investment projects in Sarawak. Touching on the programme, Awang Tengah described it as a good effort to gather local and global thought leaders under one roof, adding that the forum held attracted over 300 participants from more than 100 companies from the European Union (EU). “Sarawak’s unique offerings and Europe’s diverse markets offer huge potentials for mutually beneficial partnerships both in investment and trade. “For the past decade, there were 19 EU investments in Sarawak, specifically from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, totalling RM10.66 billion in sectors such as electric and electronic (E&E), basic metal and petroleum products,” he said. Present at the launch were Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Ambassador of the EU to Malaysia Michalis Rokas, Minister of Women, Early Childhood, Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi, State Secretary Datuk Amar Abu Bakar Marzuki and InvestSarawak chief executive officer Timothy Ong.
Sarawak Budget: RM7 million for InvestSarawak 2023 to boost state’s economy
KUCHING, Nov 21: The Sarawak government remains committed to creating an ideal climate for investment through attractive policies and initiatives to shore up the confidence of both local and foreign investors. As such, a total of RM7 million has been allocated for the established InvestSarawak, an entity to attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) into the state. Finance and New Economy Minister, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the entity is to spearhead new directions by driving in local and foreign investors to uplift the state’s economy. “In this respect, we have established InvestSarawak to promote Sarawak globally towards attracting foreign direct investment,” he said when tabling the Sarawak Budget 2023 at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting today. On another note, the Premier also highlighted that the state will continue to provide platforms to assist young entrepreneurs to recover their businesses post-pandemic. “Various initiatives will continue to be implemented under the 2023 budget that ensures business continuity, among others, provision of soft loans, interest subsidies, financial assistance for start-ups, product development, capacity building, e-Commerce, and promotion and marketing,” he said. Among them are the Special Relief Fund, Targeted Relief & Recovery Facility (TRRF), and Penjana Tourism Fund (PTF) with an allocation of RM18 million while Skim Kredit Mikro Sarawak and Small and Medium Industries Loan Scheme (SPIKS) were granted RM14 million. – TVS
Up to RM1bil in green financing available to Sarawak SMEs
KUCHING: Green financing amounting to RM1bil will be available to Sarawak SMEs to adopt sustainable practices. This comes after a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed by InvestSarawak, an agency under the state International Trade and Investment Ministry, the UN Global Compact Network Malaysia and Brunei (UNGCMYB) and Alliance Bank here on Friday (Nov 10). Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the MOU would extend RM1bil in green financing for Sarawakian SMEs in sustainable-trade readiness and business resiliency towards environmental, social and governance (ESG) compliance.
InvestSarawak, UNGCMYB dan Alliance Bank metrai MoU RM1 bilion bantu pembiayaan hijau PKS – Awang Tengah
KUCHING, 10 Nov: Memorandum Persefahaman (MoU) di antara tiga pihak telah ditandatangani antara InvestSarawak, UN Global Compact Network Malaysia&Brunei (UNGCMYB) dan Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad, untuk melanjutkan RM1 bilion dalam skim pembiayaan hijau untuk Perusahaan Kecil Sederhana (PKS) di negeri ini. Timbalan Premier Sarawak Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan berkata bantuan bernilai RM1 bilion itu akan memberi tumpuan kepada pembangunan perdagangan mampan kumpulan sasar. “Dengan bekerjasama dengan pihak yang betul seperti UNGCC, ditambah dengan sokongan institusi kewangan seperti Alliance Banks, kita (Kerajaan Sarawak) boleh menyediakan peralihan yang lancar untuk PKS yang merupakan tulang belakang ekonomi kami,” katanya. Beliau berkata demikian pada Majlis Pelancaran dan Pengenalan Program Pembiayaan dan Pembangunan Inklusif Iklim, di sini, pada Sabtu. Dalam pada itu, beliau meyakini InvestSarawak akan terus membangun sekali gus mempromosikan lebih banyak inisiatif untuk memanfaatkan PKS selepas ini. Hasrat itu menurut harapan beliau agar Sarawak dapat membina rantaian bekalan yang kukuh dan berdaya tahan yang bukan sahaja bertaraf dunia, tetapi mampan dalam semua aspek. Terdahulu, Kementerian Perdangangan Antarabangsa, Industri dan Pelaburan (MINTRED) Sarawak itu mendedahkan sehingga September, Kerajaan Sarawak telah meluluskan pelaburan bernilai RM 11.3 bilion untuk sektor pembuatan. Sementara, MoU itu telah ditandatangani oleh Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif InvestSarawak, Timothy Ong, Pengarah Eksekutif UNGCC, Faroze Nadar dan Ketua Kumpulan Strategi, Pemasaran dan Pembangunan Perniagaan Bank Alliance Malaysia, Dr Aaron Sum Wei Wern. Hadir sama Penasihat MINTRED, Datuk Naroden Majais dan Pemangku Setiausaha Tetap MINTRED, Dzulkornain Masron.– TVS
Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Saksikan Pemeteraian MoU Antara InvestSarawak, Alliance Bank & UNGCMYB
Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Saksikan Pemeteraian MoU Antara InvestSarawak, Alliance Bank & UNGCMYB KUCHING: Timbalan Premier Sarawak, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan telah hadir menyaksikan upacara pemeteraian Memorandum Persefahaman (MoU) di sebuah hotel terkemuka di sini pada Jumaat. Pemeteraian MoU tersebut melibatkan tiga organisasi iaitu InvestSarawak, Alliance Bank dan Rangkaian Padat Global Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu Malaysia – Brunei (UNGCMYB). Datuk Amar Awang Tengah dalam ucapan ringkasnya berkata, perjanjian MoU antara ketiga-tiga organisasi tersebut adalah untuk menyediakan Sarawak untuk mencapai pemerdagangan antarabangsa yang mampan pada masa hadapan. “MoU ini ditandatangani untuk melanjutkan pembiayaan berjumlah RM1 bilion untuk Perusahaan Kecil dan Sederhana (PKS) Sarawak dalam kesediaan perdagangan mampan dan daya tahan perniagaan terhadap pematuhan Alam Sekitar, Sosial dan Tadbir Urus yang baik antara SarawakInvest, Alliance Bank dan UNGCMYB,” jelas beliau. Beliau menambah kerjasama ini amat penting bagi memperkasakan lagi PKS Sarawak yang merupakan salah satu tunjang ekonomi utama di negeri ini. “Dengan bekerjasama dengan pihak yang betul seperti UNGCMYB ditambah dengan sokongan Institusi Kewangan seperti Alliance Bank, kami boleh menyediakan peralihan yang lancar untuk PKS yang merupakan tulang belakang ekonomi kita,” tambah beliau lagi. Dalam perkembangan yang sama, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah turut memberi jaminan bahawa InvestSarawak akan terus membangunkan dan mempromosikan lebih banyak inisiatif seumpama ini bagi memberi manfaat kepada PKS dan perniagaan tempatan di negeri ini bagi memastikan Sarawak dapat membina rantaian bekalan yang kukuh dan berdaya tahan yang bukan sahaja bertaraf dunia tetapi mampan dalam semua aspek. Hadir sama, Timbalan Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Pelaburan Sarawak Datuk Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif InvestSarawak Timothy Ong, Pengarah Eksekutif UNGCMYB Faroze Nadar dan tetamu-tetamu jemputan yang lain. -EDISI UKAS #UKASnews #ukas5yo #SaluranInformasiRakyat #SarawakMajuMakmur
