HUNGARY: Sarawak is exploring the City of Győr’s successful border-town development model as part of efforts to strengthen planning and economic growth strategies for Limbang and Lawas in northern Sarawak.

Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the visit to the Municipality of the City of Győr provided an opportunity to understand how the Hungarian city has leveraged its strategic location, industrial strength and regional connectivity to become a competitive economic centre while maintaining a high quality of life for its residents.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the municipality on Thursday, he said Győr’s experience is particularly relevant as Sarawak continues to develop its northern region, especially Limbang and Lawas, which are strategically located near Brunei Darussalam, Sabah and Kalimantan, Indonesia.

“We are particularly interested in learning how Győr has developed as a border-town economy, especially in relation to industrial development, urban growth, mobility, workforce development and regional connectivity.

“Győr demonstrates how a city can utilise its strategic location, transport links, skilled workforce and investment ecosystem to support economic competitiveness while maintaining a liveable urban environment,” he said.

Datuk Amar Awang Tengah noted that Győr serves as a strong example of how a border city can evolve into a major hub for industry, logistics, education and services while benefiting from access to key regional markets.

He said Sarawak is keen to understand how the city manages industrial expansion, urban development, workforce readiness, mobility systems and regional connectivity in a coordinated manner to ensure long-term competitiveness.

Among the key areas of interest are Győr’s approaches to balancing economic growth with urban liveability through quality housing, efficient transport networks, public amenities, environmental management and social infrastructure.

The insights gained from the visit are expected to contribute to the Limbang Lawas Local Plan 2030, particularly in border-town planning, economic positioning, land-use strategies, logistics, tourism development, public facilities, urban design and cross-border coordination.

Datuk Amar Awang Tengah said the knowledge acquired would help guide future development strategies aimed at transforming Limbang and Lawas into competitive, well-connected and liveable border growth centres while creating sustainable economic opportunities for local communities. -UKASnews