Sarawak, with a total land area of 124,000sq km, is the largest of the 13 states in Malaysia and encompasses 37.7% of the country’s entire land mass. Sarawak is at the heart of the Asia Pacific region, being geographically situated in the north-western stretch of the island of Borneo. With its strategic location, Sarawak is emerging as a profitable investment hub offering cost-competitive advantages with good transportation and telecommunication linkages.

Sarawak is endowed with an abundance of natural resources like petroleum, natural gas, minerals, agricultural and forest products. Today Sarawak continues to grow its niche economic activities and resource-based industries. By prudently managing its natural resources and emphasising on more down-stream processing, Sarawak is ensuring higher value from these products. The State Government is promoting petrochemicals, forestry and wood-based industries, agro-based activities, biotechnology as well as mineral-based and energy-driven industries.

Already one of the world’s largest exporters of natural gas, the State is committed to promote the manufacturing of higher value-added petrochemical products.

In forestry and wood-based activities, Sarawak is active in all stages of production; from logging to related down-stream activities, in a concerted effort to become a globally recognised producer of high quality tropical hardwood products. Regulations regarding sustainable forestry management and the implementation of large-scale reforestation programmes also help to ensure the future of this sector.

The agro and food industries are currently based on oil palm, pepper, rubber and sago. Plans are in place to develop other agricultural and food crops, and expand the scope of down-stream products to create agro-based industry clusters. Aquaculture and the processing of fish and fish products offer tremendous opportunities.

There is great potential in biotechnology due to Sarawak’s biodiversity. R&D and industry partners are invited to explore its rich flora & fauna for pharmaceutical, nutritional and other bio-products.

Shipbuilding is another major industry in Sarawak which the government intends to continue developing.

The State Government offers attractive incentives to investors, particularly in the electronic sector which also benefit from federal subsidies. Sarawak has excellent infrastructure, reliable facilities & amenities as well as a safe and clean living environment. The State Government remains proactive, customer-focused and very supportive of business and economic growth.

Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) 
The Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) is a statutory agency set up by the Sarawak Government on I March 1972 to promote the commercial, industrial and socio-economic development of Sarawak. It promotes investment in Sarawak and where necessary, serves as a joint-venture partner. The SEDC is also a trust agency to promote the participation of “Bumiputras” (indigenous people) in commerce and industry.

Its diversified range of projects and business activities includes tourism and leisure, mineral and mining/roads and works, agro-based, property and entrepreneur development.

The Tourism and Leisure Sector focuses on hotel and resort development, shopping centres and golf course to complement the State’s tourism promotion drive. Among the examples are Holiday Inn Kuching, Holiday Inn Damai Beach, Crowne Plaza Riverside Hotel, Sarawak Cultural Village, Damai Beach Golf Course, Parkcity Everly Hotel, Miri, Parkcity Beverly Hotel, Bintulu and Royal Mulu Resort.

The Mineral & Mining/Road Works Sector plays a major role in complementing the State Governments effort in infrastructure development. Principal activities are quarrying, supply of premix, trading of building materials, road maintenance and infrastructure development.

The Agro-based Sector is mainly centred on livestock, plantations and aquaculture. Its cattle farms in Karabungan, Miri Division, Northern Territory, Australia and newly acquired cattle station in Queensland, Australia provide sufficient fresh meat to meet the States requirement.

Property development is another key SEDC activity, comprising both commercial and socio-economic projects.

Entrepreneur Development 
A significant role of SEDC is the development of Bumiputra’ entrepreneurs through the following programmes:

Currently, SEDC has more than 46 active subsidiaries and associate companies with group assets totalling more than RMI.68 billion. It is a dynamic and reputable organisation working on the 4Es principal: to carry out its tasks ethically, effectively, efficiently and economically. SEDCs corporate philosophy is to provide the best quality and value in everything it does, through integrity, teamwork and total quality management.