SHANGHAI: Sarawak is strengthening its position as a strategic investment destination and emerging green energy hub in Southeast Asia by enhancing economic and business ties with China.
The effort was highlighted during the Sarawak-China Strategic Investment Roundtable held at Alila Hotel, Shanghai, recently, where Sarawak and Chinese business leaders explored opportunities for investment, technology transfer and cross-border partnerships.
Led by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, the Sarawak delegation engaged with leading Chinese companies and industry associations to pursue concrete investment opportunities across several emerging sectors.
The roundtable also saw the signing of several memoranda of agreement (MoAs) and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between Sarawakian and Chinese business entities, reflecting growing investor confidence in Sarawak.
Speaking at the event, Awang Tengah, who is also the Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment, highlighted the longstanding economic ties between Sarawak and China, noting that Chinese investors had committed more than RM25 billion in investments in the state across sectors including solar energy, wood-based industries, drones and battery storage.
Bilateral trade between Sarawak and China also reached RM26.8 billion in 2024, he said.
“Sarawak is not merely seeking investment, we are offering strategic partnership. Under our Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), we are transforming into a prosperous, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable high-income economy.
“With clean hydropower generating over 70 per cent of our electricity, competitive utility rates, strategic maritime access to 680 million ASEAN consumers and comprehensive tax incentives, Sarawak offers an ideal gateway for global businesses aiming to decarbonise and scale,” he said.
The roundtable focused on potential collaborations in green energy and battery storage, circular economy, automation and robotics, as well as digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence (AI).
Beyond investment, Sarawak is also seeking to strengthen technology transfer and workforce development through partnerships with Chinese education and technology institutions.
Among these is collaboration with Chongqing Yidiyou Education Technology to develop vocational skills and upskill the local workforce to meet the demands of emerging industries.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment (MINTRED) and InvestSarawak reiterated their commitment to supporting prospective investors throughout the process, from initial engagement to operational deployment in the state.
