SARAWAK 'ON THE MAP' FOR AMERICAN BUSINESSES - US AMBASSADOR KAGAN

KUCHING, Jan 26 (Bernama) --  Outgoing United States Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan has expressed confidence that Sarawak will continue to attract greater interest and investment from American companies following sustained efforts to promote the state as a viable business destination.

At a media engagement programme here today, he said that while US firms would ultimately make their own investment decisions, Sarawak was increasingly being recognised as a location with strong potential.

“I’ve told every American company with whom I engage, who are looking at Malaysia, that they should look at Sarawak. But I think that we've helped put Sarawak on the map for American businesses, working with our friends at the American Chambers of Commerce, at the US-ASEAN Business Council, and with the Malaysian government as well as the Sarawak state government.

“Over time, you're going to see greater investment by American firms here,” said the ambassador, who will be leaving the country next month as his tenure comes to an end.

Kagan said at present, US business interest in Sarawak had been largely concentrated in the energy sector, alongside manufacturing activities such as the Western Digital plant in the electrical and electronics (E&E) industry.

He believed this focus would broaden as Sarawak’s economy continued to grow and diversify, and expected that a wider range of companies from the US would come in.  

The ambassador also highlighted Sarawak’s strong potential in the energy sector, particularly in renewable energy, noting that opportunities extended beyond power generation to include energy transmission and management.

“It is noticeable that Sarawak’s energy capacity, along with its access to electricity and water, positions the state well to attract data centres.

“Beyond infrastructure, Sarawak’s greatest asset is its people and talent, which I believe will continue to make the state an attractive destination for foreign investment, including from American companies,” he added.

-- BERNAMA