WIEF Kuching to promote Sarawak as investment destination

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Awang Tengah (third left) and Musa (third right) in a group photo with Ismawi (second left), Ahmad Fuzi (second right), State Planning Unit director Datu Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki (left) and WIEF Foundation managing director Datuk Syed Abu Bakar S Mohsin Almohdzar (right).

KUCHING: The 13th World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) which will be held for the first time in the state from Nov 21 to 23 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here is a golden opportunity to promote Sarawak as an investment destination.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said Sarawak offers a wide range of business opportunities in various fields and this can be explored by the approximately 2,000 forum delegates from countries such as Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Kuwait, Pakistan, United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates who are expected to attend the three-day forum.

“We see this forum’s capability in opening a good business network with overseas business leaders who are either Muslims or non-Muslims and this is very crucial in improving the economy as well as to establish job opportunities for the people,” he said at the launch of WIEF at a leading hotel here yesterday.

Also present were WIEF Foundation chairman Tun Musa Hitam, Deputy State Secretary (Socio Economic Transformation) Datu Ismawi Ismuni and WIEF Foundation secretary general Tan Sri Dato Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak.

Awang Tengah, who is also Industrial and Entrepreneur Development Minister, pointed out that in addition to the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), the state also has the potential from its HEP that could cater to the operation needs of heavy industries.

“As such, through WIEF, we can also promote the advantages of Sarawak’s HEP in providing facilities to investors particularly those from heavy industries,” he said.

Apart from that, he also noted that the state offers investment opportunities in the halal industry at Tanjung Manis Halal Hub which was established in an area of around 77,000 hectares.

“Sarawak is a place for green and integrated investment…however whatever investment that will be carried out, it must be environmentally friendly and the state government will not compromise on environmental factors,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Musa said among the leaders who are expected to attend the forum include Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak who is also WIEF Foundation patron, Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg and Islamic Development Bank (IDB) president Dr Bandar M H Hajjar who will speak at the opening session of the forum themed ‘Disruptive Change: Impact and Challenges’.

“Specific focus will be given to discussions relating to disruptive science, technology and innovation; halal consumables and services; Islamic finance and law; arts, culture and design as well as entrepreneurship and emerging spaces.

“Our basic objective is to open up conversations between nations, driving common business agendas forward and bringing true value and impact to communities across the globe.”

He pointed out that through WIEF Kuching, it would hopefully provide an inclusive platform to promote regional cooperation especially within Asean; to drive business opportunities especially those involving SMEs and startups; and to bring about a positive impact on communities.

“We believe that every nation, every business and every community has something to share in facing the rapid pace of global disruption which comes in many forms – from opportunities offered by new technologies and new partnerships, to threats of rising economic and political uncertainties.”