00:00Economists say the establishment of special economic zones in Sarawak will significantly
00:08boost sub-regional cooperation and attract substantial foreign investment.
00:13Although the government recently announced it had no immediate plans for SEZs along Sarawak's
00:18borders with Brunei and Kalimantan, Economy Minister Rafizieh Ramli said the idea is still
00:23under consideration.
00:25Madeleine Burma, an honorary professor at University Malaysia Sarawak, said SEZs could
00:31attract foreign direct investment linked to global value chains and enhance cooperation
00:36between Sarawak, Brunei and Kalimantan.
00:40Burma said SEZs should be strategically located near trade routes or borders and supported
00:46by robust infrastructure facilitating activities such as export processing, industrial engineering
00:53and logistics.
00:54Meanwhile, Socio-Economic Research Centre Executive Director Lee Heng Gui said SEZs
01:00could leverage Sarawak's economic potential and strategic location, particularly its proximity
01:06to Indonesia's new capital, Nusantara.
01:10Given Sarawak's substantial revenue and budget surplus, Lee said SEZs could transform the
01:15state into an economic powerhouse.
01:18He said the state is a sweet spot for investors, given its abundant resources for renewable
01:23energy and green investment.
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