Entrepreneurship crucial in boosting industrial growth in Sarawak — State Secretary

KUCHING: Entrepreneurship is the key that will drive industrial growth in Sarawak.

In this respect, State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani believed that the way forward in the globalised economy would be to invest heavily in human capital development, specifically through entrepreneurship.

“Sarawak’s economy had been dominated by agriculture, timber harvesting and oil and gas production before. Now, it is moving into industrialisation.

“Entrepreneurship development has been one of the key initiatives in ensuring that the economy of Sarawak would remain strong and resilient, for the well-being of all Sarawakians. The state government has been consistent in encouraging the development of new businesses and nurturing new entrepreneurs in all fields of the economy,” he said at the soft launch of Gathering of Rising Entrepreneurs, Act Together (Great 2016) yesterday.

Adding on, Morshidi said the government was also advocating competition in the local business scene, adding that this would enable the economy to be developed with greater efficiency. Moreover, he said there were tremendous opportunities out there for those willing to widen their horizons.

On Pan Borneo Highway project, Morshidi credited Ministry of Finance ( MOF) secretary-general (treasury) Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah for empowering the state to take up the project which in turn, created opportunities for Sarawakian entrepreneurs.

“This long highway, spanning 1,089km, will open up new business opportunities due to increased connectivity and access to more places.”

Similarly, Morshidi emphasised Great 2016 as a good collaboration between the state and federal governments, auguring well for the future as it would connect local entrepreneurs to the national entrepreneurship ecosystem.

“Great 2016 is certainly a good platform for entrepreneurs all over Sarawak with opportunities for discovery, networking, funding and empowering themselves. This event should not be missed by anyone,” he said, urging unemployed graduates to seriously think about exploring entrepreneurship.

Later, Morshidi announced the setup of the Global Entrepreneurship Movement ( GEM) Sarawak Chapter, in which he had offered to become the patron. GEM – an organisation founded and run by Mohd Irwan – would be unveiled this Monday in Kuala Lumpur.