SARAWAK'S TRADE AND TOURISM OFFICE IN SINGAPORE TO BOOST EXPORT BY 30 PCT

By Massita Ahmad

SINGAPORE, June 20 (Bernama) -- Newly-established Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office in Singapore (STATOS) will help in boosting the state’s export to the republic by at least 30 per cent beginning from this year until 2020.

Last year, Sarawak’s exported a total of RM1.2 billion worth of goods to Singapore while imports from the republic stood at RM1.6 billion.

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Major trading items between the state and Singapore are machinery and transport equipment; mineral fuels, lubricants and food items.

The burgeoning trade figures between Sarawak and Singapore were revealed by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg during the soft-launching of STATOS, located at 80, Robinson Road today.

“With this sort of facility available in Singapore and also a collaboration between the Singapore business community and Sarawak’s...I believe within two years we can target about 30 per cent,” he said.

At the moment, Abang Johari said food products especially agriculture have seen an increase.

The grand opening of STATOS is expected to be held in August this year.

Abang Johari had announced the plan to open STATOS during Sarawak Legislative Assembly sitting in May.

STATOS is headed by Chew Chang Guan as the chief executive officer.

According to Abang Johari, Sarawak is also planning to open up trade and tourism office in Pontianak in Indonesia and Brunei within this year.

“Our trade with Kalimantan also has increased particularly in medical tourism. If the Indonesian government confirmed to locate its capital city to Kalimantan ..we can work closely with Indonesia,” said Abang Johari.

Globally, Sarawak recorded a positive balance of trade in 2018 of RM51.8 billion of which the total exports value was RM97.7 billion, surpassing its total imports of RM45.9 billion.

Sarawak which experienced economic growth of 4.6 per cent last year, is forecasted to grow at 5.0 per cent this year.

-- BERNAMA