KUCHING: Sarawak is solidifying its international engagement with Germany, as the state delegation made technical visits and engagement sessions with Bavarian and Munich-based institutions overseas to explore collaboration in artificial intelligence (AI), energy transition and innovation.
In a statement, the delegation led by Deputy State Secretary Sarawak (Economic Planning and Development) Datuk Seri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, met with Member of the Bavarian State Parliament Martin Huber in Munich on Monday (June 22).
The meeting served as a platform for both sides to exchange views on key areas of mutual interest, including AI development, energy transition initiatives and innovation strategy, as well as potential future collaboration between the Bavarian government and Sarawak.
The statement said that both parties discussed the importance of leveraging technology, research and innovation to support sustainable economic growth, with Germany’s experience in digital transformation, industrial innovation and clean energy offering valuable insights for Sarawak’s efforts to build a future-ready economy.
The Sarawak delegation also outlined the state’s strategic priorities, including its aspiration to become a regional hub for renewable energy, digital transformation and emerging technologies, while exploring opportunities for knowledge exchange, capacity building, research partnerships and investment.
Muhammad Abdullah said in the statement that Sarawak remains committed to strengthening international partnerships that support the state’s development agenda, particularly in areas tied to sustainability, technological advancement and economic diversification.
Earlier the same day, the delegation also met with the Technical University of Munich (TUM) Think Tank, represented by Professor Urs Gasser, Dean of the TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology, and Markus Siewert, Managing Director of the TUM Think Tank at the Munich School of Politics and Public Policy.
The discussion centred on similar themes, including sovereign AI infrastructure, technological innovation, energy transition and the role of research institutions in driving sustainable economic growth, with the session offering insights into TUM’s approach to bridging academia, industry and government in advancing innovation-driven solutions.
Also present were Sarawak Multimedia Authority general manager Datuk Anderson Tiong, Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS) chief executive officer Busiai Seman and Sarawak Artificial Intelligence Centre (SAIC) chief executive officer Professor Patrick Then.
