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.
InvestSarawak Joins 6th German-Malaysian Business Forum to Advance Bilateral Investment Ties
High-level engagement between German business leaders and Sarawak policymakers reflects growing momentum for investment in renewable energy, semiconductors, and digital economy. (From left) Sarawak Deputy Premier YB Datuk Amar Awang Tengah with German Ambassador to Malaysia Riecken-Daerr and MGCC Executive Director Hannes Farlock at the 6th German-Malaysian Business Forum (GMBF) held at The Waterfront Hotel on 6 May 2026 – photo by Roystein Emmor Key Highlights KUCHING, 6 May 2026 – InvestSarawak participated in the 6th German-Malaysian Business Forum (GMBF) today, held at The Waterfront Hotel, Kuching, as part of the flagship forum of the Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MGCC). The forum brought together senior representatives from German and Malaysian industry with senior officials from the Sarawak state government for substantive dialogue on trade, investment, and Sarawak’s economic development agenda. The forum was graced by YB Datuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Deputy Premier of Sarawak and Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment (MINTRED), who addressed Sarawak’s commitment to high-quality, long-term investment partnerships. The Deputy Premier’s presence at the forum underscored the strategic importance of the Sarawak-Germany economic relationship and the state’s openness to industrial collaboration in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and the digital economy. “Sarawak is open for business, and we are committed to building partnerships that are long-term, sustainable, and mutually beneficial. Germany represents exactly the kind of high-quality investment partner we seek, one that brings technology, expertise, and a shared commitment to a greener future. Today’s forum has reaffirmed our confidence that the foundation for a deeper Sarawak-Germany economic relationship is firmly in place,” said YB Datuk Amar Awang Tengah. InvestSarawak CEO Timothy Ong (second from right) at the opening Fireside Chat of the 6th German-Malaysian Business Forum, alongside German Ambassador to Malaysia Riecken-Daerr, on his right, and MGCC Executive Director Hannes Farlock, on his left. InvestSarawak Chief Executive Officer Timothy Ong joined H.E. Silke Riecken-Daerr, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Malaysia, and Hannes Farlock, Executive Director of MGCC, for the opening Fireside Chat, setting the tone for a forum focused on translating strategic intent into concrete economic partnership. On 5 May 2026, InvestSarawak hosted a pre-forum economic overview briefing for the German business delegation where Mr. Ong provided a comprehensive overview of Sarawak’s investment landscape, strategic sectors, and infrastructure readiness. The briefing formed the foundation for informed and focused dialogue throughout the forum. A roundtable with the Deputy Premier followed the Fireside Chat, enabling direct engagement between German industry leaders and Sarawak’s senior leadership on investment priorities, regulatory enablers, and sectoral opportunities – including renewable energy, talent development, high-tech manufacturing, and semiconductors. The afternoon programme featured a dedicated dialogue with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA), and Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS), highlighting the centrality of digital infrastructure and technology in Sarawak’s development roadmap. The 6th GMBF was held in conjunction with a four-day business delegation to Sarawak, organised by MGCC, comprising 17 companies from both German and Malaysian businesses across key industrial and technology sectors. The delegation also undertook technical site visits to X-FAB Sarawak and SMD Semiconductor (Sarawak Microelectronics Design) at the Sama Jaya Free Industrial Zone in Kuching, offering first-hand exposure to Sarawak’s expanding semiconductor ecosystem. German-linked companies have invested more than RM14 billion in Sarawak since 2013, primarily in electrical, electronic, and chemical industries. Bilateral trade between Sarawak and Germany reached approximately RM1 billion in 2025, with key commodities including semiconductors, electrical machinery, petroleum products, chemicals, and fertiliser. “When you fly into Kuching and look out over that vast, ancient rainforest stretching to the horizon, you begin to understand the scale of what Sarawak is and what it is becoming. This is a land that powered economies for generations through its natural resources, and is now channelling that same energy into semiconductors, green hydrogen, and the industries of the future. For German companies still mapping their next move in Southeast Asia, Sarawak deserves to be on that map,” said Mr. Farlock. InvestSarawak remains committed to facilitating high-quality investment partnerships that align with Sarawak’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), which targets a high-income, sustainable, and inclusive economy by 2030. The forum reinforces the agency’s ongoing efforts to position Sarawak as a competitive and investment-ready destination within ASEAN. For media enquiries, please contact: enquiry@investsarawak.gov.my About InvestSarawak InvestSarawak, an agency under the purview of the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment (MINTRED) Sarawak, is the One-Stop-Centre dedicated to attracting investments to Sarawak while fostering trade and talent development, in alignment with Sarawak’s vision for 2030 and beyond — to be a dynamic society fuelled by data and innovation, bolstered by social inclusivity and sustainable growth. Reporting to The Right Honourable Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, who chairs the Board with 13 other key members, InvestSarawak works in close collaboration with various key agencies and stakeholders throughout Sarawak, including the private sector. InvestSarawak offers a comprehensive range of services to investors and project developers, from the initial conceptualisation of projects to the eventual successful commercialisation and implementation. For further information, please contact enquiry@investsarawak.gov.my
Anwar: Australia’s Fortescue to invest in green hydrogen alternative energy in Bintulu
DAVOS (Jan 23): Australia’s global metal mining company Fortescue has agreed to invest in green hydrogen alternative energy in Bintulu, Sarawak, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said the agreement was reached through a meeting with the company’s leadership team led by Fortescue executive chairman and founder Andrew Forrest AO on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Summit 2025 here. “The Sarawak government has agreed in principle, and I have guaranteed several incentives and support so that Bintulu will become a hub,” he said at the closing press conference in conjunction with his working visit to WEF 2025. On Tuesday, Anwar led a Malaysian delegation to attend face-to-face business meetings organised by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry with corporate leaders representing Fortescue, AstraZeneca, DP World, Medtronics, Nestle, and Google. Commenting further, the prime minister explained that through meetings with companies investing in Malaysia, the large port company from Dubai, DP World, which comes into Sepanggar, Sabah, has received the support of the federal government. “As for Sabah, which will have a relatively large port in the region when Dubai Ports comes in, the federal government has informed Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and the Sabah government to provide full support and cooperation,” he added. In addition, the prime minister said Google would continue implementing major programmes such as the one established in Selangor, namely data centres that would benefit Peninsular Malaysia, particularly Johor, Penang, and Perak. Furthermore, he said that issues related to artificial intelligence, including in the fields of medicine and education, were also discussed in the meetings with global companies. Anwar attended the WEF 2025 for the first time as prime minister since taking office in 2022 at the invitation of WEF founder and chairman of the board of trustees Klaus Schwab from Jan 20-22. Throughout the three-day visit, Anwar was accompanied by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir and Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo. — Bernama
Press Metal expands upstream with alumina refinery JV in Kalimantan
KUCHING (Sept 19): Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Berhad has entered into a shareholders’ agreement and share subscription agreement with PT Alakasa Alumina Refineri (AAR), PT Dinamika Sejahtera Mandiri (DSM) and PT Kalimantan Alumina Nusantara (KAN). This is to set up a strategic joint venture where KAN will establish and operate an integrated alumina refinery plant, power plant, jetty and supporting infrastructure in Sanggau, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. The refinery is expected to have an annual production capacity of 1 to 1.2 million metric tonnes, with a potential expansion to double this output. The total cost for Phase 1 is US$750 million, or about RM3.238 billion. Press Metal will subscribe for 80 per cent equity interest in KAN for a total subscription price of RM1.036 billion, executed in seven tranches over the next year, and funded through the Group’s internally generated funds. AAR and DSM shall hold 19.77 and 0.23 per cent, respectively. Group chief executive officer Tan Sri Paul Koon said the project represents a unique opportunity to drive sustainable long-term growth. “By partnering with AAR and DSM through this joint venture, we are not only expanding our upstream business operations but also unlocking synergies that will enhance the overall value of the Press Metal group. “This venture aligns with our strategy to reinforce and continuously strengthen our leading position as the largest smelter in Southeast Asia and boost our competitive edge across the aluminium value chain. “It is an effective approach towards expanding our upstream presence while ensuring higher self-sufficiency and a stable supply of our alumina needs, which are critical to our core smelting operations. “This will also reduce our reliance on third-party suppliers and traders, ensuring greater operational resiliency and efficiency. “With a long-term offtake agreement expected to commence once the refinery is operational, we anticipate cost savings that will further optimise our overall operations”, he said.
Global Telecommunications first off-taker for Kuching’s FutureData Park
KUCHING (Oct 10): Global Telecommunications is set to be the first off-taker to set up its data centre within FutureData Park here. FutureData Consortium, led by TSG Group of Sarawak and Cyclect of Singapore, announced this during a ceremony at its booth in DC World, Singapore yesterday. The 500MW site for the data centre was first announced in June 2023 at Shape the World Summit here witnessed by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. TSG Group said in a press statement today that the high-density data centre will be designed to support next-generation digital infrastructure. It will be purpose-built to cater to cutting-edge applications such as Large Language Model (LLM) training and GPU as a Service (GaaS), making it a vital hub for artificial intelligence (AI) development and cloud computing services. Additionally, the data centre shall provide edge computing solutions along with Internet Data Exchange (IDE) services, enhancing data handling and processing at the edge of networks for faster and more efficient performance. Costing above US$130 million (RM617.84 million), the centre will operate on a robust 17MW power supply, offering significant energy capacity to power the demanding workloads of modern computing systems. It will be designed to support over 1,000 racks, with selective high-density racks delivering up to 125KW of power, providing the scalability required for high-performance computing environments. Construction will begin in the second quarter of 2025 and it is expected to be online by 2026. Through this project, the company aims to position itself as a key player in the region’s digital economy by delivering the infrastructure needed to support emerging technologies, cloud services, and AI-driven innovations. The facility’s strategic location and advanced design make it a cornerstone for data exchange, connectivity, and AI infrastructure development in East Malaysia. “As the pioneer developer heeding the call of the state government to develop large-scale data centre parks in Sarawak, in line with the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030, TSG Group is proud to partner with Global Telecommunications Group to set up the first AI DC in Sarawak for our FutureData project,” said TSG chief executive officer Datuk Chris Chung. Global Telecommunications chairman Stanley Ling said with existing data centres in Peninsular Malaysia, having this next AI DC in Sarawak means the company now has a pan-Malaysian network of data centres. “We are excited about the vast potential growth in Sarawak, Sabah, and the rise of Kalimantan. The future is indeed Sarawak,” he said. Cyclect chief executive officer Melvin Tan said the company is proud and excited to be part of this pioneering project in Kuching, which marks a major milestone for AI-driven infrastructure in Borneo. “FutureData Park will set new standards in sustainability and digital innovation, providing the foundation for industries to leverage the power of AI and next-gen computing,” he said. TSG Group is a diversified group in Sarawak with transformative businesses in infrastructure and rural development, property development, oil palm plantation, Paulownia tree plantation for environmental sustainability, and future economy projects focusing on food, environment, data, and space exploration. In Singapore, TSG group’s interests are represented by its investment company DesignFutures Venture Pte Ltd. Among those present during the announcement were Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (Statos) CEO Chew Chang Guan, Dylan Yee (TSG Group), Lawrence Chong (FutureData), Sylvester Wong (Global Telecommunications), and Kenny Lau (Statos).
