KUCHING: Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) has agreed to reserve at least RM2.1 billion in contracts for Sarawak-born entrepreneurs in the oil and gas sector.
Chief Minister, Tan Sri Adenan Satem announced this in his speech at the National Labour Day celebration here yesterday.
The move from the national petroleum company cane about following the request by the state government for entrepreneurs from Sarawak to play a greater role in the oil and gas sector.
“We, the people in Sarawak, want a greater role in the oil and gas industry since such resources is found in the state.
“I would like to announce that Petronas had also agreed to our request and as they felt the same way. Petronas had also agreed to reserve at least RM2.1 billion ringgit in contract.
“There will more assistance (coming from Petronas). We are happy with you,” he said.
Adenan also said apart from natural resources, the workforce in Sarawak played a pivotal role in stimulating economic development of the state.
He likened the situation in Sarawak to that in Hong Kong and Singapore.
“There are no natural resources in Hong Kong and Singapore. However, the two countries depended on strong workforce which had helped to spur development for the two nations,” he said.