KUCHING: Sarawak’s new Ministry of International Trade and e-Commerce, created on May 7, will strive to make the state the investment destination of choice for investors.
Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh will be the minister in charge of the ministry and he will be assisted by Datuk Mohammad Naroden Majais.
Addressing the state legislative assembly here yesterday, Wong said the ministry would plan, formulate, recommend and implement trade development and promotional policies for international trade, foreign direct investments (FDIs), e-commerce and international business collaboration.
“We will plan, identify and seek export opportunities for local companies to help develop and enhance their position, regionally and globally, he said, adding that strategies and supportive policy guidelines would also be developed to strengthen competitiveness and conduciveness to attract FDIs.
Wong said the ministry would establish global networking and collaborate with public and private sectors to strengthen trade relations and participate actively in regional and international business promotions, marketing and business matching. It would formulate the state’s international trade and e-commerce policy and guidelines to transform and position human resource, government machinery, commerce and industry players to be digital-economy ready, he added.
“We will align the state economy with the global digital economy and strengthen relevant technologies and infrastructure for e-commerce.
“E-commerce can greatly facilitate our local companies as it makes their business more competitive and accessible globally,” he said, adding that the ministry would liaise with its Federal counterpart to leverage on initiatives and incentives provided.
“Among others, it includes the National e-Commerce Strategic Roadmap, Digital Free Trade Zone and also the Malaysia Digital Economic Corporation which is an e-entrepreneur programme.
“Sarawak will continue to improve its business relations with Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan and Peninsular Malaysia to increase trade and capacity in the international business segment,” he said.
Wong also added that efforts would be intensified to increase the business volume to more than RM1 billion each with Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia and about RM729 million with Hong Kong. – Bernama