Lack of air connectivity hindering tourism industry – Awg Tengah

KUCHING: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan has acknowledged that the present lack of air connectivity in the state remains a problem to the tourism sector.

“The lack of connectivity is a problem. We try to collaborate with other airlines in order to improve our air connectivity,” he said when representing Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to launch the 4th Sarawak Business and Investment Summit at a leading hotel here yesterday.

Awang Tengah, also Second Minister for Urban Development and Natural Resources, said the state government was working on transforming the tourism industry through strong branding, wider connectivity and better infrastructure.

“More tourism products will be developed, leveraging on our diverse cultures, pristine and natural environment.

“We are also leveraging on digital technologies to attract more tourists to the state and to enhance their experiences during their stay in Sarawak,” he pointed out.

Awang Tengah, who is also Minister of Industrial and Entrepreneur Development, said the urban economy would be expanded to create more employment and business opportunities.

He added that systematic property development would be carried out in major towns like Kuching, Sibu, Miri and Bintulu to support the growth of urban economy.

“We welcome the private sector in the development of residential and commercial subsector as well as in the provision of public transport and services.”

According to him, the state’s nominal growth domestic product (GDP) had expanded from RM119.1 billion in 2015 to RM121.4 billion last year.

He added that the state’s GDP per capita had increased from RM44,100 to RM44,300 during the same period.

“The positive growth is mainly driven by the services and manufacturing sectors. The number of employment has increased from one million in 2015 to 1.2 million last year.

“The number of job vacancies created last year was 50,000 and the incidence of poverty has reduced from 2.4 per cent in 2012 to 0.9 per cent in 2014,” he said.

Awang Tengah said the state had maintained good credit ratings of A- with stable outlook by Moody’s Investors Services and A3 with stable outlook by Standard and Poor’s.

“Our good credit ratings are due to our prudent financial management and good governance,” he added.