KUCHING: The Sarawak government is committed to create an ideal climate for investment through business-friendly policies and initiatives to shore up the confidence of local and foreign investors.
Chief Minister Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said the state government would pursue various strategies including to diversify its economy with special focus on modernisation of agriculture, strengthening infrastructure, advancing tourism and accelerating human capital development.
Besides, he said, the government is committed to accelerate rural transformation initiatives to enhance the state's revenue through revenue re-engineering so that Sarawak could have the fiscal flexibility in managing its financial resources and in strategising its development agenda.
"We want to ensure balanced development between the urban and rural areas by opening up rural areas for productive economic activities that will provide greater job and business opportunities."
"Furthermore, the implementation of the Sarawak Digital Economy initiatives will also continue to leapfrog the state economy focused on precision agriculture, Industry 4.0, tourism, e-commerce, smart city and digital government," he said.
Speaking at the Sarawak Chamber of Commerce and Industry at its Sarawak Entrepreneur of the Year 2021 (EOYS) Awards Luncheon here today, Abang Johari said the key to realising Sarawak as a developed economy by 2030 is the involvement of Sarawak businesses in investing projects in Sarawak.
Thus, he assured that his government would step up its efforts in promoting entrepreneurship and investment among Sarawakians who are keen to develop and implement their projects.
Abang Johari also said it was important to develop the state's information and communication technology infrastructure (ICT) in order to bring the people on par with more developed economies, and attract investments in new fields such as cloud computing, data farming, artificial intelligence, robotics and internet of things.
"This is a momentous challenge that requires a strong political will and strategic foresight."
"While the Sarawak government is committed to setting up a world-class ICT infrastructure, a vibrant digital economy requires active participation of the local business community by utilising the infrastructure to add value to their businesses," he said.
"Indeed, politicians and government servants can at best provide the direction and framework for the economy, but it is the private sector that must do all the hard work of getting things moving."
"Thus, the Chamber plays a pivotal role in coordinating the relationship between the business community and the state government," he added.
