Abang Johari (fourth right) with members of the Guangzhou Chinese Chamber and members of the Sarawak delegation. Also seen are Assistant Ministers of Housing Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (fourth left) and Datuk Francis Harden (third right).
KUCHING: Entrepreneurs from Guangzhou have shown an interest in investing in a wide range of sectors in Sarawak, especially housing and the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) project.
Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said the reason was the attractive investment opportunities in Sarawak, especially within the SCORE area.
“Many entrepreneurs have expressed their keenness to invest in Sarawak, especially the housing related industry,” Abang Johari told The Borneo Post through WhatsApp from Guangzhou after meeting some members of the Guangzhou Chinese Chamber there yesterday.
He said Sarawak is promoting the ‘Malaysia My Second Home’ programme to the entrepreneurs.
Chairman of the Guangzhou Chinese Chamber Chen XiChang meanwhile said the chamber has some 78,500 members eager to find business partners overseas, including Malaysia.
During the meeting, they (Guangzhou entrepreneurs) also promoted their products such as steel structure, light steel products, solar panel and timber flooring.
Meanwhile, president of the Sarawak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg expressed his confidence that the meeting with their counterpart in Guangzhou would bear much fruit, especially in bringing to Sarawak the technology in modular housing system through joint venture (JV).
“As we can see, the Sarawak government, with private entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs from China were keen to have a JV to set up a modular housing system in Kuching.
“We have all the elements needed to work out the system, particularly regarding the technology transfer. I see a win-win situation that in the long term could benefit both parties,” he said.
Abang Karim hoped that the JV to set up a factory in Kuching will also boost the local raw materials and create jobs for locals.
Abang Johari is leading a 43-member strong delegation from Sarawak to get the latest technology to cut down prices of affordable houses in the state.
Among those accompanying him are government officials and entrepreneurs from Sarawak led by Abang Abdul Karim.