Sarawak will outperform national economic growth in 2019 — Awg Tengah

LIMBANG: Sarawak’s economy is expected to grow by a robust five per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) this year, surpassing the national GDP forecast growth of 4.7 per cent.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who is also Minister of Industrial and Entrepreneur Development, said this optimism is based on the strong economic fundamentals and efforts undertaken by the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) state government led by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He attributed his confidence to the rollout of people-oriented high impact projects, introduction of petroleum sales tax, regional development under Upper Rejang Development Agency (Urda), Highland Development Agency (HDA) and Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA) under Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda), and other economic drivers that will be the catalysts for robust economic growth in the state.

Representing the Chief Minister at Limbang District Chinese New Year 2019 celebration hosted by Limbang Hokkien Association here on Saturday, Awang Tengah, who is also Second Minister of Urban Development and Natural Resources, urged the chambers of commerce in Limbang Division to become partners in growing Sarawak’s economy by sharing their experience and expertise in their respective fields.

He said the state government had taken a pro-growth approach with emphasis on infrastructure, amenities and telecommunication network as catalyst for accelerating physical, economic and social progress in the state.

“We are taking a leaf from the transformation of China which leapfrogged from a poor country in the 70s to become the second biggest global economy through emphasis on developing good infrastructure, opening up of more areas and opportunities for economic growth driven by small and medium enterprises,” he said.

The deputy chief minister also urged Sarawakians to be ready for major transformation in the economic landscape with many big conglomerates from China showing interest in investing in the state, saying the foreign direct investments would be a boon to the state’s economy with the spin-offs, offering business and job opportunities.