KUCHING: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg received a farewell visit from US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard Kagan at the Satria Pertiwi Complex, on Monday.

His visit was to personally meet with the Sarawak Premier before concluding his diplomatic service on February 15.

When met by reporters after the visit, Edgard explained that Sarawak has a special place in his heart since his first visit back in 2014, whereby he has always received a warm welcome from the Sarawak Government.

“Therefore, I intended to come personally to convey my thanks to the Premier of Sarawak not only for his kindness and cooperation towards me, but also towards the US.

"I also expressed how much I appreciate the story of Sarawak's development and how much Sarawak has changed in the 11 and a half years since I first set foot here," he said.

Edgard continued to call on the Sarawak Government to continue being a regional leader in renewable energy and the hydrogen economy where collaboration with the technological support and expertise of US companies could act as a catalyst in that direction.

He said that American companies have the skills and technology that can potentially contribute to Sarawak's vision, but investment decisions depend entirely on the respective companies without government interference.

"But ultimately, the key is for Sarawak to continue to do what it has done so well, which is to create an environment that attracts investment.

"This shows that Sarawak is the right place for companies to establish themselves in the long term, and to continue to be bold and visionary in what they want to achieve using their own policies," he explained.

He also explained that an increasing number of US companies are showing interest in investing and collaborating in Sarawak where there will be major investment announcements in the future.

Also present were the Director of the Sarawak Regional Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia Dato Fenny Nuli, Embassy Spokesperson James Dewey and other dignitaries. -UKASnews

Reporter: Ahmad Daniel Faiz
Photographer: Hazrin Sunaini
Translator: Nerissa Sia