05/11/2012 (Borneo Post) - The state’s manufacturing sector is expected to undergo significant changes in the coming years through industrial sub-sectors such as food processing, palm oil, petrochemicals, advanced ceramics and biotechnology.

In addition, the electronic and electrical sector will also play a prominent part in  the Economic Transformation  Programme, with the state having been identified as a potential location for silicone-based industries.

With these projects coming on stream, Sarawak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) president Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg believes the state can look forward to an exciting and dynamic socio-economic development.

“Amidst this development, we are  positioning  SCCI as  a premier chamber with activities and programmes  that would stimulate further  the development pace and tempo in the state,” he added when officiating at the dinner held in conjunction with SCCI’s 61st Anniversary Dinner at Hilton Hotel here on Saturday.

Among the people present were Assistant Industrial Development Minister (Investment and Promotion) Julaihi Narawi, Assistant Industrial Estate Development Minister Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie, SCCI deputy president Datuk Dr Philip Ting and organising chairperson Rita Liew.

In its effort to establish business networking overseas, Abdul Karim said SCCI was focusing more on neighbouring countries within the framework of BIMP-Eaga as well as Asean, considering that world economic activities was now shifting towards Asia.

“Among the programmes we are planning is to organise an Oil and Gas Expo in Balikpapan as we will have a direct flight by MASWings soon.

“This will see a further expansion of our activities within the BIMP-Eaga region.

“SCCI is also planning to organise a second Sarawak Business Mission to Pontianak, Kalbar (West Kalimantan) sometime in March 2013,” he continued.

Abdul Karim also urged all members, associations and trade chambers to register their business profiles with Sarawak Business Connect Portal (www.sarawakbusinessconnect.my), a database dubbed as ‘Window to the World’ considering that the portal is a Business to Business (B2B) portal to obtain information and facilitate linkages, better networking and more successful business matching.

The free portal captures vital information to help in connecting businesses in a more efficient and effective manner.

As of October this year, Sarawak Business Connect has garnered a total of 100,138 hits – just over a period of one year.

On another note, he announced that the Chief Minister’s Environmental Award 2012 will be held on Nov 30 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).

This will be the fifth time that SCCI is collaborating with Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) on the award.

Abdul Karim also highlighted that SCCI’s financial position remained sound and strong, as it continued to build up and strengthen its assets.