KUCHING: Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are critical partners in driving the growth, efficiency and competitiveness of Bintulu Port and Sarawak’s wider trade ecosystem, says Datuk Ruslan Abdul Ghani.
The Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad president cum group chief executive officer (CEO) said the port group’s success and scale are closely tied to the strong participation of MSMEs, which form the backbone of its operations and digital transformation efforts.
“We may be a giant in Sarawak, but power comes with responsibility and accountability. MSMEs are a very critical partner to us. Without them, the port would not be able to survive or become the giant that we are today,” he said during a forum session titled ‘Budget Strategy: MSMEs Through Digital Adoption’, held in conjunction with the 2026 Sarawak Budget Conference here today (Dec 17).
Ruslan said Bintulu Port Holdings, which operates Bintulu Port and Samalaju Industrial Port, currently handles about 80 per cent of Sarawak’s total cargo volume, or roughly 52 million tonnes annually.
He said MSMEs dominate the port’s business ecosystem, with 805 of the 820 companies registered in its open system classified as small and medium enterprises, accounting for about 98 per cent of all registered firms.
“We don’t call them contractors. We call them service providers and solution providers. They are on the ground, supporting our daily operations and helping us deliver value,” he said.
Over the past three years, he said Bintulu Port Holdings has awarded contracts worth about RM1.12 billion, with RM531 million channelled to 503 MSMEs through a mix of short- and long-term contracts ranging from three to 10 years.
Ruslan said the close partnership with MSMEs is central to the port’s role as an accelerator for digital integration within Sarawak’s supply chains, beginning at the state and national levels before expanding regionally and globally.
“Before we talk about regional or global supply chains, we must first ask how good we are in Sarawak and at the national level. Digital adoption is not because we like it, but because we need it to improve efficiency, productivity and reduce costs,” he said.
Ruslan stressed that Bintulu Port is committed to bringing all stakeholders, including MSMEs, along on its digital journey to ensure a more productive, inclusive and cost-effective trade environment for Sarawak.
