Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem receiving a courtesy call from Canada High Commissioner in Malaysia, Judith St George at his residence in Santubong yesterday. Looking on is Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
KUCHING: Canada would be looking forward to enhancing its bilateral trade with Sarawak in a number of sectors such as plantation, civil aviation and hydroelectricity.
In pointing this out, High Commissioner for Canada in Malaysia, Judith St George said the fertiliser for the state’s oil palm plantation came from Canada, as well as MASwings’ Twin Otter fleet which were also manufactured in Canada.
“We trade a lot with Sarawak. We are also looking at the energy sector — we think there is a lot of collaboration there because we are an expert in hydro (power plants) and there is a lot of hydro here (Sarawak). We have Canadian companies working in the hydro sector here for many years, and also in Peninsular Malaysia for decades. So I think there are a lot of opportunities there,” Judith said during a press conference at Pullman Hotel here on Thursday held in conjunction with ‘Canada Day’ yesterday (July 1) — observed by the High Commission of Canada in Malaysia for the very first time in Sarawak.
Last year, more than one-third of the potash imported into Malaysia came from Canada.
Potash is a key ingredient used in making fertilisers for Malaysia’s oil palm plantation sector.
Notably, Canadian expertise in effective and real-time water data management solutions has been incorporated by Sarawak Energy Bhd for the development of Bakun hydroelectricity plant project.
Judith was accompanied by High Commission of Canada in Malaysia counsellor (commercial) and senior trade commissioner Mark Strasser, who stressed that education would be another aspect the North American nation would be focusing on.
He attended a meeting with the Kuching Canadian Graduates Association earlier Thursday on ways to attract more Sarawakians to pursue tertiary education in Canada.
“We talked about how we could work together in encouraging more students from Sarawak to take advantage of the good quality Canadian education.”
On the choice of the state capital to host Canada Day, Strasser said the celebration represented an opportunity for the high commission to ‘get out and be in Sarawak’ — a part of Malaysia where the economy was growing.
“The chief minister (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem) is very good; he has significant economic development plan.”
Meanwhile, Judith noted that it had become easier for Sarawakians to visit Canada — thanks to the connectivity between Kuching and Hong Kong via Hong Kong Airlines.
“This allows you to go directly to Hong Kong, where you can get
all kinds of flights to all over Canada. Canada has trained more than 1,000 Malaysians on ways to respond to terrorist incidents, including (those involving) chemicals and explosives,” said Judith, who led the Canadian delegation on a courtesy call on the Chief Minister at his office here yesterday.
The visit — where High Commission of Canada in Malaysia counsellor (political) Timothy Mackey was also present — touched on trade investments between Canada and Sarawak.