KUCHING: Sarawak is studying the City of Győr’s transformation into a competitive regional economic centre to strengthen development planning for Limbang and Lawas as future border growth hubs in northern Sarawak.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said an official visit to the Municipality of the City of Győr, Hungary, was aimed at understanding how the city has leveraged its strategic location, strong industrial base and regional connectivity to drive sustainable economic growth while maintaining a high quality of life for its residents.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Municipality of the City of Győr on Thursday (June 18), Awang Tengah said Győr’s experience is particularly relevant to Sarawak as the State continues to plan and develop its northern region, especially Limbang and Lawas, which are strategically located near Brunei Darussalam, Sabah and Kalimantan, Indonesia.
“We are particularly interested in learning how Győr has developed as a border town economy, especially in relation to industrial development, urban growth, mobility, workforce development and regional connectivity.
“Győr demonstrates how a city can use its strategic location, transport links, skilled workforce and investment ecosystem to support economic competitiveness while maintaining a liveable urban environment,” he said.
He noted that Győr serves as an excellent example of how a border city can position itself as a major centre for industry, logistics, education and services while benefiting from its proximity to key European markets.
He said Sarawak is keen to learn how the city manages industrial development, urban expansion, workforce readiness, mobility systems and regional connectivity in a balanced and coordinated manner to ensure long-term competitiveness.
Awang Tengah said one of the key areas of interest is how Győr balances economic growth with urban liveability through the provision of quality housing, efficient transport networks, public amenities, environmental management and social infrastructure.
“The expected outcome from this visit is to identify practical lessons that can inform the Limbang Lawas Local Plan 2030, particularly in the areas of border-town planning, economic positioning, land-use strategy, connectivity, logistics, tourism development, public facilities, urban design and cross-border coordination,” he said.
He added that the insights gained would be valuable in guiding future development strategies for Limbang and Lawas to ensure that economic progress translates into tangible improvements in the quality of life of local communities.
Awang Tengah said the knowledge gained from the visit is expected to contribute towards shaping Limbang and Lawas into competitive, liveable and well-connected border growth centres, while strengthening regional integration and creating sustainable economic opportunities for the people of northern Sarawak.
