CM witnesses MoU signing between SBF, VCCI
KUCHING: Sarawak Business Federation ( SBF) yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding ( MoU) with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( VCCI) in Melbourne, Australia.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg was on hand to witness the ceremony and exchange of the MoU documents at VCCI’s premises in Collin Street in the State of Victoria’s capital city, according to a press statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office here.
The MoU signing was part of the Chief Minister’s itinerary while in Melbourne that includes the presentation of Swinburne University’s Doctor of University honorary award to him (Abang Johari) at the convocation today ( Dec 20).
Abang Johari in his address after the signing ceremony said Sarawak is looking forward to greater collaboration with Victoria to enhance two-way trade and in the field of training and further education.
He spoke at length to give an overview of Sarawak’s economic and demographic background, its strength and potentials, industrialisation, economic digitalisation and the development of green economy.
Earlier on, the president of SBF Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg and the chief executive of VCCI Mark Stone also spoke.
Later in the afternoon, the chief minister and members of his entourage proceeded to Swinburne’s campus in Hawthorn near Melbourne to familiarise themselves with new developments at the campus.
While at the campus, they were given interesting insights into research and development, Design Factory and its role, and a tour of the university’s innovation centre.
They were also given an overview of the accelerator programme, incubation space and a host of other initiatives towards digitalisation and Industry 4.0 at the university.
Members of the Sarawak delegation included Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee, Deputy State Secretary Datu Abu Bakar Marzuki, Petra Jaya MP Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof, members of SBF and board and council members of Swinburne Sarawak.
Also present was Westmoreland Palon, the current consul general for Malaysia in Melbourne, who is a Sarawakian from Kuching.