State’s exports up nearly 30 per cent, breach RM71 billion mark — Wong

SARAWAK’S exports have breached the RM71-billion mark as of September 2017 compared to only RM55 billion registered over the same period last year.

International Trade and E- Commerce Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said this was a sharp increase of almost 30 per cent.

“Until September 2017, the growth of our export to Turkey is up by 155 per cent; Thailand is up by 119 per cent; Netherlands is up by 47 per cent and India is up by 25 per cent.

“These promising figures had also shown an upward trend and a recognition given to Sarawak’s reputation as a good trading partner,” he said when winding up his ministerial speech at the State Legislative Assembly ( DUN) sitting yesterday.

The major goods exported, he noted, were liquefied natural gas ( LNG), palm oil, crude petroleum, aluminium and petroleum condensate.

On the state’s imports as of September 2017, Wong said imports have been consistent and kept at a manageable level of RM30 billion in which the amount was also registered for the same period last year.

“Among the main imported goods are machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, manufactured goods, food, and miscellaneous manufactured articles.”

He also noted that the overall trade balance was still in Sarawak’s favour with a stark increase of 65 per cent registered from January to September as compared to the corresponding period last year.

“Our present balance of trade as at September 2017 had reached almost RM41 billion as compared to only RM25 billion for the same period in the previous year.

“These convincing figures have shown to us Sarawak’s competitiveness, good reputation and commitment in delivering quality products and services to our trading partners,” he remarked.