KUCHING, Aug 3 (Bernama) — The Sarawak government has stated its readiness to align the state’s tourism development initiatives with the tourism investment zones announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently in the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13).
Sarawak’s Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said that while Sarawak already has various strong tourism products, new initiatives like the tourism investment zones will be studied to ensure they can be mutually beneficial.
“If the tourism investment zones mentioned include areas like Mulu, Niah, the Kuching Delta, and the Rainforest World Music Festival, then we are indirectly on the same track, it just hasn’t been discussed in more detail.
“We are ready to cooperate. The important thing is that there’s no overlap, but rather that we mutually strengthen the efforts that are being and will be carried out,” he said when asked to comment on the development of tourism investment zones to empower the national tourism sector.
He added that this year, Sarawak has shown encouraging growth in the tourism sector, with tourist numbers nearing the five million target and tourism revenue exceeding RM1 billion, proving the effectiveness of its strategy.
Abdul Karim, who is also Sarawak’s Minister of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development, said that any effort to strengthen the socioeconomic status of Sarawak’s bumiputera must be adapted to the state’s existing ecosystem so that aid reaches the target groups effectively.
He was referring to the RMK13 initiative to expand business opportunities by providing commercial premises and access to funding assistance, as well as training and mentorship programs for entrepreneurs.
“I welcome any effort to develop entrepreneurs, regardless of age. Our state government has also implemented various entrepreneurship programs under the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030,” he said.
Earlier, while speaking at the closing ceremony of the Youth EdXchange Programme 2025 here, he said that young people are the nation’s most important asset, not just for the future, but also for the present.
He delivered a part of his speech in English, stating, “Your experiences throughout this exchange — from local community immersion to sustainability workshops and project pitching — are proof that when young people are empowered and given the platform, they will rise and lead with a purpose.”
The two-day Youth EdXchange Programme 2025, which was attended by 60 participants, is a platform that connects local and ASEAN youth through environmental education, sustainability, and cross-cultural collaboration.
–BERNAMA
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