BAU: The Sarawak Government has identified a building in Pontianak, West Kalimantan to be used as the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office which will serve as a hub for economic and trade links between Sarawak and the region.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said the office will be developed in line with the same model as the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office which is currently operating in Singapore and Brunei Darussalam.

“We have identified a building in Pontianak to serve as the office of the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office such as the ones we established in Singapore and Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. The same model will be utilised with officers and staff placed there.

“As a result of such a facility, it can serve as a hub of communication between us, Sarawak and West Kalimantan,” he said.

He said this to reporters after officiating the Opening Ceremony of the Bidayuh Cultural Centre Bau (BCCB) and the handing over of the Native Communal Reserve Gazette Section 6 of the Sarawak Land Code and the Land Title Deed Section 18 of the Sarawak Land Code for the Tasik Biru constituency here on Monday.

The Sarawak Premier added that the growing development of trade relations and the healthcare sector between Sarawak and West Kalimantan has generated the need for more structured support facilities to facilitate the affairs of both parties.

In this regard, he explained that Sarawak is also considering the proposal to establish banking facilities in Pontianak following emerging trade relations between the two regions.

“We will ask Affin Bank to consider opening a branch there.

“This will facilitate the business community to connect between West Kalimantan and Sarawak as well as West Kalimantan residents who have businesses in Sarawak,” he explained.

In a related development, Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari shared that the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce had contacted Sarawak to discuss the proposal to establish the Borneo Chamber of Commerce.

According to him, the proposal was a follow-up to his previous official visit to Jakarta and a representative of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce was expected to visit Sarawak in the near future to hold further discussions on the matter.

Also present were Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Sarawak Deputy Ministers for Transport Datuk Henry Harry Jinep and Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Serembu Assemblyman Dato Miro Simuh, heads of departments and other dignitaries. -UKASnews

Prepared By: Nur Nabilla
Photo: Ibanez Jeffery Guang & Shahril Haqim
Translator: Nerissa Sia