Welcome Rakan Sarawak September 2005

Rangkaian Khidmat Awam Negeri Sarawak

A MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF RAKAN SARAWAK BULLETIN

(People, events, activities and programmes which make for a total quality-managed Sarawak Civil Service)

ISSN 1394-5726

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Go for Quality not Quantity Says Dato ’ Seri Rafidah Aziz

YB Dato’ Seri Rafidah Aziz, Minister of MITI, delivering her keynote address

We cannot compete with countries such as China and India especially in producing labour-intensive goods,” said YB Dato’ Seri Rafidah Aziz, Minister of International Trade & Industry (MITI) during the recent trade dialogue and seminar with the business communities in Sarawak.

One way to compete and capture market share is through specialized quality products. To do that, the business and manufacturing sectors have to keep abreast of the latest technology and constantly upgrade their people’s skills.

There are also numerous incentives and trade missions initiated by the government, which the business communities could benefit from if they are willing to participate. According to YB Dato’ Seri Rafidah Aziz, “the number of applicants from Sarawak is still minimal.” It is the hope of the MITI that through the Sarawak Investment & Trade Dialogue and Seminar on “Opportunities in the Manufacturing & Related Services Sector”, the local business community could take advantage of opportunities available for investors in Sarawak.

Guests and participants checking out the mini
exhibitions held during the event

“I would like to see more involvement from Sarawak in the high-tech and bio-tech industries”, expressed YAB Pehin Sri Dr. Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, Chief Minister of Sarawak, during his opening speech at the trade dialogue and seminar. Given the fact . that Sarawak is rich in its flora and fauna, the bio-technology industry is a golden opportunity for investment. The plan is to attract more local people to work in bio-tech, and develop Kuching and Miri into bio-tech sites. At present, bio-tech research and development in the state is undertaken by the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre located in Kuching.

YAB Pehin Sri Dr. Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, Chief Minister of Sarawak,
emphasizing some points during the dialogue session

Local businesses are strongly encouraged to venture into new products, expand their market networking and upgrade their technology to sustain competitiveness. Despite a moderate growth in the global economy, Malaysia recorded 5.7% growth in the first quarter of 2005, and continues to be one of the strongest economic performers in the region. There were two main contributors to the growth – services sector (6%) and manufacturing sector (5.6%), supported by both the export-oriented and domestic-oriented industries.