KUCHING: Youth empowerment, sports development and entrepreneurship will be elevated as key growth engines under Sarawak’s 2026 Budget, positioning young people not just as beneficiaries but as active contributors to the state’s socio-economic expansion.
Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the state government envisions the 2026 Budget as a catalytic instrument to reposition youth, sports, entrepreneurship and culture from social development domains into strategic sectors that contribute directly and indirectly to Sarawak’s gross domestic product (GDP).
“As Sarawak accelerates its socio-economic transformation, my ministry sees the 2026 Budget as a tool to empower youth, sports and entrepreneurship as long-term multipliers for productivity, income generation and GDP growth,” he said during the Fireside Forum titled Driving Growth in Sarawak Socio-Economic Front in conjunction with the 2026 Sarawak Budget Conference held here today (Dec 16).
Abdul Karim credited the current state leadership for its progressive approach, noting that the vision is aligned with Sarawak’s broader development agenda under the stewardship of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“At the heart of my approach is youth empowerment. Young people are not merely recipients of development but active economic actors and future productivity drivers,” he said.
He said the 2026 Budget will prioritise investments in skills development, leadership training, employability and innovation ecosystems to enhance human capital quality, particularly in emerging industries, the sports economy, creative and cultural sectors, digital entrepreneurship and green enterprises.
On sports, Abdul Karim said the ministry views the sector beyond recreation, positioning it as a high-impact socio-economic platform with strong multiplier effects.
“That is why we are keen to host major sporting events. There are significant socio-economic spillovers, from employment and entrepreneurship opportunities to sports tourism and service sector growth,” he said.
He noted that Sarawak’s role as a co-host of the SEA Games will see extensive upgrading of sports facilities starting early next year, generating benefits not only during the event but also in the lead-up through increased economic activity.
In entrepreneurship, he said the ministry aims to expand youth-led entrepreneurial pipelines from ideas to market-ready assets, particularly among young and creative talents.
“By nurturing innovation, self-reliance and business creation, we seek to increase the number of youth-led SMEs and startups, enhance local value creation, generate jobs and reduce over-dependence on traditional sectors,” he said.
In summarising his ministry’s vision, Abdul Karim said the 2026 Budget will elevate youth, sports, entrepreneurship and culture into strategic growth engines by investing in people, unlocking new sectors, fostering innovation, and ensuring sustainability and inclusivity for Sarawak’s long-term socio-economic resilience.
