Abang Johari fields questions from reporters after officiating at the opening of BCC here today. — Photo by Roystein Emmor
BAU (June 22): The planned Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office (Stato) in Pontianak is expected to serve as more than a trade hub, with the Sarawak government looking to involve Affin Bank in providing banking facilities for businesses operating between Sarawak and West Kalimantan.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the office would be modelled after the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office in Singapore and serve as a hub to strengthen economic ties with Indonesia’s West Kalimantan province.
“We have identified a development in Pontianak to become our state office there, similar to what we have established in Singapore.
“It will become a hub for our relations with West Kalimantan. We are already seeing an increasing trend in business and healthcare links, and with better connectivity, we can further expand them,” he told reporters after officiating the Bidayuh Cultural Centre (BCC) here on Monday.
Abang Johari said if connectivity between Sarawak and West Kalimantan continues to improve, the state government will ask Affin Bank to consider providing banking facilities to support businesses operating across the border.
“We will ask Affin Bank to take this into consideration because it will provide opportunities for the business community in Sarawak as well as those in West Kalimantan,” he said.
He said the initiative forms part of what he described as ‘Borneo Trade’, adding that Indonesia’s Chamber of Commerce had approached Sarawak on establishing a Borneo chamber to strengthen business connectivity across the island.
“This will allow us to connect the business sectors in Sarawak, Sabah and Kalimantan. It is a good trend because the trade volume between us is growing,” he said.
Abang Johari added that representatives from Indonesia are expected to visit Sarawak for further discussions following engagements held during an Asean-related event in Jarkata.
He said the proposed office and closer collaboration with Indonesia would further enhance Sarawak’s position as a regional economic hub while supporting the growing volume of trade and investment across Borneo.
