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.
