PONTIANAK, WEST KALIMANTAN – Sarawak is actively pursuing the establishment of its Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office (STATO) in Kalimantan as part of ongoing efforts to deepen regional economic ties and enhance market accessibility across Borneo.
Leading the delegation, Deputy Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, arrived in Pontianak on Monday as part of his working visit to Indonesia’s Kalimantan region.
The delegation conducted site visits to two proposed locations that could host the future STATO office. If established, this would mark Sarawak’s third international STATO presence after offices in Singapore and Brunei.
“STATO will not only serve as a bridge for trade and investment promotion but will also elevate Sarawak’s profile in tourism and cultural diplomacy,” said Awang Tengah.
The envisioned STATO Kalimantan office aims to:
- Facilitate business linkages between Sarawak and Kalimantan
- Promote Sarawak’s cultural, natural and culinary attractions
- Support MSMEs in accessing new regional markets
- Advance talent development and cross-border collaborations
- Align with Sarawak’s Post-COVID Development Strategy 2030
This move underscores Sarawak’s long-term strategy to position itself as a key economic player in the Borneo Economic Corridor, fostering mutual growth between Malaysian and Indonesian Borneo.
Also present were:
- Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development, Datuk Dr Ripin Lamat
- Director of Economic Planning Unit, Datu Lester Mathew
- Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment, Dzulkornain Masron
- Malaysian Consul in Pontianak, Azizul Zekri Abd Rahim
The proposed STATO Kalimantan initiative represents a significant step in regional diplomacy, inclusive growth, and Sarawak’s strategic expansion in ASEAN trade networks.
