KUCHING: The Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) holds significant development potential, driven by public-private collaboration involving the Sarawak government, the Sarawak Manufacturers’ Association (SMA), and local councils, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
The Minister for International Trade and Investment (Mintred) highlighted the Sarawak Trade Fair 2024, organised by SMA and featuring over 70 exhibitors, as a platform to showcase Sarawak’s vast economic potential while fostering innovation, networking, and growth.
“By hosting this trade fair here, we will not only promote the region as an emerging industrial and business hub but also create valuable employment opportunities, driving economic growth,” he said.
His speech was read by Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Ripin Lamat at the Sarawak Trade Fair 2024 at Ang Cheng Ho Sports & Community Hall, Batu Kawah, today (Dec 6).
Awang Tengah also emphasised that Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a crucial role in driving innovation, job creation, and community development.
“MSMEs are the cornerstone of Sarawak’s economy, contributing RM29.7 billion or 17.9 per cent of our GDP in 2022, with over 74,000 MSMEs operating across the state,” he said.
He further said that the Sarawak government is committed to empowering and nurturing MSMEs through specialised development programmes and infrastructure support.
“To date, we have supported over 8,900 MSMEs via various schemes, such as Skim Pinjaman Industri Kecil dan Sederhana (SPIKS), Skim Kredit Mikro Sarawak (SKMS), Graduan Ke Arah Keusahawanan (GERAK), Usahawan Teknikal dan Vokasional (USTEV), and Go Digital, providing a total of RM193 million in financial assistance.
“In addition, we are developing Anjung Usahawan across Sarawak to promote and nurture an entrepreneurial culture among rural and remote communities, driving competitive and inclusive local economic growth,” he added.
Also present were Sarawak Business Federation president Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg, Consul-General of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuching Raden Sigit Witjaksono, Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching Xing Weiping, SMA president Peter Chai, and vice president Stephen Hii.
