LAWAS: Strategic cooperation between Sarawak and Brunei Darussalam will be enhanced through a range of cross-border initiatives aimed at driving economic growth, attracting investment and creating more business opportunities for both territories.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the long-standing ties between Sarawak and Brunei, encompassing government-to-government (G2G) cooperation, people-to-people relations and trade, should be further enhanced for mutual benefit.
He said that bilateral trade between Malaysia and Brunei has reached approximately RM5.8 billion, while trade between Sarawak and Brunei has surpassed RM1.8 billion, reflecting significant potential for further expansion.
“We must broaden our cooperation across various sectors, including transportation, ports, electricity supply, high-speed internet through fibre optic networks, tourism, education and talent development to support regional economic growth,” he said at the Brunei-Sarawak Entrepreneurial Roadshow Dinner here recently.
Awang Tengah added that Sarawak, Brunei and Sabah would continue working together to promote Borneo as a single tourism destination, while leveraging the AirBorneo network to strengthen tourism connectivity and trade across the region.
He stressed that human capital development remains a key priority under the Sarawak government’s agenda, with efforts focused on producing a highly skilled workforce in artificial intelligence (AI), innovation, creativity and technology to meet the demands of the future economy.
He also said the government is placing greater emphasis on developing locally made products that meet international standards and embrace Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles to enhance their competitiveness in global markets.
“Sarawak will also host the Borneo International Halal Showcase (BIHAS) as a platform to strengthen regional halal industry collaboration and trade. At the same time, we will reinforce cooperation through BIMP-EAGA and the Sarawak-Brunei Joint Committee to facilitate investment and cross-border trade,” he said.
Meanwhile, BIMP-EAGA Brunei chairman Pengiran Dr Haris Pengiran Durahman said regional collaboration has become increasingly important in addressing global economic challenges, geopolitical uncertainties and food security issues.
He said the Brunei-Sarawak Entrepreneurial Roadshow provides a strategic platform for entrepreneurs and agencies from both territories to expand business networks, exchange ideas and explore new collaboration opportunities, particularly in the halal industry.
According to him, the partnership can combine Sarawak’s strengths in resources and production capacity with Brunei’s expertise in halal processing, certification and marketing, thereby strengthening the regional halal ecosystem.
