CM to lead Sarawak trade mission to Jakarta and Bandung
Published on: Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Kuching: Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg will lead a 60-member trade mission to Jakarta and Bandung in Indonesia from Oct 23-27 in conjunction with the 33rd Trade Expo Indonesia.The trade mission is being organised by the Sarawak Business Federation (SBF), Sarawak Bumiputera Chamber of Entrepreneurs (DUBS) and the Consulate Republic of Indonesia based here.SBF President Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg said the mission would seek opportunities to collaborate on mutually-agreed activities in the fields of trade and industry, finance, investment, tourism, medical and other sectors, as well as regional economic integration through the growth of the new economic hub for West Kalimantan and Sarawak.ADVERTISEMENT He said the chief minister was also expected to witness the signing of five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), including between Brooke Dockyard & Engineering Works and Wika Wijaya Persero TBK Indonesia; Danawa Resources Sdn Bhd and PT. Trans Hybrid Communication Indonesia; SBF and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as, Dewanita DUBS and Association of Indonesian Businesswomen in Jakarta.In Bandung, Abang Johari will witness the signing of another MoU between Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation and the Faculty of Visual Art and Design, Bandung Institute of Technology."Our philosophy is to 'prosper thy neighbour' in terms of increasing bilateral services, trade and investments between the two countries, especially between Sarawak and West Kalimantan," he told a media conference to announce the trade mission here on Monday.Also present were Indonesian Consulate General Yonay Tri Prayinto and DUBS President Datuk Abang Helmi Ikhwan.ADVERTISEMENT On strengthening mutual cooperation, specifically at the interior cross-border towns and surrounding regions, Abang Abdul Karim said the Sarawak delegation would also advocate the establishment of the Entikong-Tebedu Cross Border Economic Zone besides the Entikong-Tebedu Gateway as an entry-exit point for international trade.Entikong is the Indonesian border town in West Kalimantan near Tebedu on the Sarawak side, about 90 kilometres from here.
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He said the mission also aimed at facilitating the use of ports in West Kalimantan and Sarawak as export-import gateways for goods-in transit for goods such as commodities, apart from establishing more regional direct air connectivity between cities to enhance passenger flow and tourism.Meanwhile, Yonay said West Kalimantan and Sarawak recorded a trade volume totalling US$120.85 million (US$1=RM4.15) last year, with the Indonesian province chalking up exports worth US$83.91 million to Sarawak and imports of US$36.94 million from Sarawak.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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During the same period, Indonesia and Sarawak recorded trade volume worth US$606.90 million, with Indonesian trade exports to Sarawak valued at US$245.03 million while imports from Sarawak amounted to US$361.86 million, he said.He said last year's statistics also showed that some 513,442 Indonesians from West Kalimantan visited Sarawak, mostly for leisure and health tourism compared with 47,666 Sarawakians visiting the Indonesian province. – Bernama