KUCHING: France has expressed interest in Sarawak’s initiatives to develop future energy sectors, including hydrogen and ammonia production as well as clean energy development, which are among the state’s key development agendas.
The matter was among those discussed during a courtesy call by the Ambassador of France to Malaysia, Marc Abensour, on Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar at Kasuma Resort, Petra Jaya today (Mar 11).
Tun Wan Junaidi was accompanied by his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, during the meeting.
Also accompanying the French Ambassador were Thierry d’Anna, Cultural Attaché; Bouthaina Harfi, Deputy Head of the Economic Department; and Datuk Fenny Nuli, Director of the Sarawak Regional Office of Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The visit served as an important platform to further strengthen the existing diplomatic ties between France and Malaysia, particularly in exploring potential strategic cooperation with the Sarawak government across various development sectors.
During the nearly hour-long meeting, Tun Wan Junaidi and Abensour exchanged views on several areas of cooperation with strong potential for collaboration.
Both sides also explored potential collaboration in Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technology, which could support Sarawak’s aspirations to strengthen its low-carbon development agenda and transition towards a green economy.
In addition, discussions touched on opportunities for cooperation in human capital development, particularly through education programmes, technical training and knowledge transfer with French institutions operating in Malaysia to help empower local talent in Sarawak.
The meeting also addressed several current issues, including matters related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) in the context of Sarawak’s development and progress.
Apart from that, both parties discussed investment potential in Sarawak’s rapidly growing high-technology sector, including the aerospace industry. This included prospects linked to the development of the state-owned airline, AirBorneo, which could open new avenues for cooperation with international industry partners.
Tun Wan Junaidi also expressed hope that more French business delegations would visit Sarawak in the future to witness firsthand the vast opportunities the state offers as a strategic investment destination in the region.
