KUCHING: German companies are looking at Sarawak as a new ground for clean energy cooperation.
Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Executive Director, Hannes Farlock, said Sarawak’s energy direction had opened room for cooperation with German companies.
He added that the areas discussed during the engagement aligned with Germany’s strengths in technology and energy expertise.
“We have a feeling actually that our technological strengths and expertise overlaps with your great ambition towards the topics you mentioned like green hydro and other energy topics.
“Especially in the light of the current tensions, your farsightedness I think is really leading the way and there are definitely a lot of cooperation opportunities between Germany and Sarawak,” he said.
He said this during the press conference after the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability’s roundtable dialogue session with the Germany Business Delegation on ‘Investment Opportunities in Sarawak’ at Baitulmakmur Building II today (May 8).
He further shared that the chamber was still exploring and planning several opportunities, including a delegation trip in September supported by Germany’s Ministry of Economic Affairs.
He said the trip would focus on hydrogen and involve German technology partners in transport, storage and production.
“I think there is a lot of untapped potential because the German economy is actually very broadly represented already in Malaysia, especially in West Malaysia.
“But even for many of the companies who are our members, the members of the German Chamber, for them it is actually a new terrain and still ample opportunity to engage,” he said.
Farlock said the engagements had left the delegation with a positive view of Sarawak’s energy direction.
“We have had multiple engagements during our delegation trip for the last three days.
“And we are returning with very positive feelings, emotions and hopefully business opportunities,” he said.
Meanwhile, Energy and Environmental Sustainability Deputy Minister, Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, said the roundtable ministry dialogue with the German Chamber of Commerce involved 18 German companies.
He added that the companies represented sectors such as transportation, oil and gas, human resource management, human training, hydrogen, infrastructure and technology provision.
According to him, the German companies are in Sarawak to explore opportunities based on the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, the state’s hydrogen roadmap and the energy transition roadmap.
“They are coming here to learn what we have to offer, what the opportunities are that we have, especially after the energy crisis.
“And they are also looking at this part of the world for maybe future potential investment areas, especially after the Iran crisis.
“They also have the same belief that the future of energy will move towards greener and cleaner energy, alternative energy, and reduced dependence on oil and gas,” he said.
Echoing this, MAN Truck & Bus Sdn Bhd’s Managing Director, Marc Appelt,
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said Sarawak’s direction on renewable energy was clearly presented during the engagement.
“What we also could see is that every different ministry is talking the same and has a clear vision for the next upcoming years and for the future,” he said.
He said German companies saw local partnerships as an important part of future cooperation with Sarawak.
“This is, of course, a big chance for us to partner up with you.
“It is also right that you (Sarawak) are looking for companies who want to partner with your local companies.
“This visit is really interesting for us. We had a chance to better understand Sarawak’s approach to renewable energy and decarbonisation,” he said.
