BAU: Sarawak attracted more than RM3 billion-investment in the first two months of this year, the highest among the states in Malaysia.

From the figure, RM2.89 billion was foreign investment and the rest domestic, says Minister of Industrial Development Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan.

“According to Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), the investment flowing into Sarawak in Jan and Feb was the highest, followed by Perak (RM377 million), Selangor (RM366 million) and Penang (RM351 million),” he said at the opening of a programme on opportunities in commerce and industry at the civic centre here yesterday.

“This shows that the government, particularly the state government, is in the right track to attract more investment. This must be continued to ensure we are on the path to be an advanced state,” said Awang Tengah, whose text of speech was read by Assistant Minister of Industrial Development Datuk Peter Nansian.

On Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), he said it had so far recorded RM24 billion worth of investment.

More than half came from foreign investment worth RM12.318 billion while RM6.635 billion or 28 per cent was investment in the form of joint-venture between local and overseas investors, he added.

“It is notable to note also that about RM5.08 billion (21 per cent) of investment in SCORE comes from domestic investors. This shows that SCORE attracts not only foreigners but also local investors including small and medium enterprises (SMEs).”

Recognising the importance of SMEs, which represent 98.6 per cent of total businesses in Sarawak Awang Tengah said the state government would continue to help them through various means.

“For instance, the state government has allocated 231 ha of land in Samalaju Industrial Zone for the SMEs which play vital roles in the downstream industry.”

The programme yesterday was organised by Ministry of Industrial Development and supported by government
agencies such as MIDA, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation and SME Corporation Malaysia.

The state-wide programme is aimed at informing the business community, especially SMEs, the opportunities and facilities provided by government agencies apart from encouraging the growth of domestic investment.

(Source : Borneo Post Online , 1 May 2013)