KUCHING: The Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (Statos) encourages other state departments and agencies to cooperate with each other to promote Sarawak to the outside world.
Its chief executive officer Chew Chang Guan said this when met by reporters yesterday at Kuching International Airport (KIA).
On how many companies in Singapore have collaborated with Statos so far, he said, “There are 28 supermarkets and other companies that are exploring the food and agricultural industry.
“We are encouraging them to look at us so that we can collaborate and promote agriculture and tourism. As the reception is getting better, we encourage state departments and agencies to work together to attract outsiders to come to Sarawak for tourism, agriculture and other purposes.”
The Singapore Business Federation (SBF) delegation arrived in Kuching yesterday for a four-day ‘Business Mission Programme to Sarawak’ to explore business opportunities and investments in both trade and tourism sectors. This mission is organised by Statos in collaboration with SBF and Enterprise Singapore.
“This is a fresh new destination for a majority of the delegation members as Sarawak has several things for them to explore.
“Tomorrow, we will visit chicken farms, vegetable farms and even an empurau fish farm. I am certain that they will be amazed at what Sarawak has to offer.
“I believe that many more business missions like this will be organised as Statos promotes the state as a food basket,” he told reporters.
The objectives of their visit also include gaining deeper understanding of the incentive packages and information on investment projects, expanding their network and meeting with government officials and local businesses, and exploring business cooperation opportunities with their Sarawak counterparts.
The 28-member delegation, led by SBF Singapore’s Asean executive director Thian Tai Chew and Chew Chang Guan, immediately upon arrival yesterday went to Wisma Bapa Malaysia to meet Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
On the second day (today), they will visit Semenggoh Nature Reserve to get acquainted with its conservation programme so that they can support its future development and fulfil their corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts. Semenggoh Discovery Centre is planning to upgrade the facilities and enhance visitor experience.
The tour will continue with a visit to Lian Hua Seng Lifestock, then on to Poh Lian Collecting, Processing and Packaging Centre, and Poh Lian Plantation. Their afternoon will conclude with a visit to an empurau farm, Puri Johan Aquaculture.
The third day will start with a meeting with the Sarawak Forwarding Agencies Association followed by a networking session with local companies and a visit to a mini expo of food, agriculture and tourism products.
On the same day, they will attend a briefing by permanent secretary of the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MTAC) Hii Chang Kee.
The evening will be filled by a gala dinner with the Sarawak Business Federation where both business federations will formally exchange memorandum of understanding (MoU) documents.
This is the first business mission organised by Statos which was established last June to serve as a one-stop centre for the promotion of Sarawak’s trade, investments and tourism.
Sarawak ranks among the top three states in the country in terms of incoming investment after Johor (RM30.5 billion) and Selangor (RM18.9 billion).
The state continues to attract both domestic and foreign investors due to business-friendly policies, abundance of natural resources and ability to provide land and modern infrastructure.
