Malaysia and Brunei to open Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office to enhance cooperation

Malaysia and Brunei will be going ahead with the opening of the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office (STATO) in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei which aims to strengthen tourism cooperation between Brunei and Sarawak.

In a joint statement by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkia at the 24th Annual Leaders’ Consultation, both parties emphasised their joint commitment to strengthening relations between the two countries as they celebrate the 40th Anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2024.

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STATO is slated to be opened at the end of 2023 with a proposed inclusion of Brunei in the Northern Coastal Highway for greater connectivity and to provide additional socio-economic benefits for the Governments and people of Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia.

Malaysia and Brunie have also reaffirmed their commitment to undertake mutual cooperation in digital cooperation including in digital connectivity, cybersecurity, personal data protection and emerging technologies. The Memorandum of Understanding in the Field of Digital Cooperation is currently being finalised.

In the joint statement, both leaders also welcomed Brunei’s export initiatives with Sabah and Sarawak for processed food which includes meat-based products this year to strengthen food security and supply of both sides.

To further ensure food security, both leaders highlighted the works of the Brunei and Sarawak Technical Agriculture Committee in their efforts to explore opportunities in agriculture cooperation.

“The leaders were pleased with the seamless coordination between both sides in the exports and imports of agricultural products and further recognised that this would pave the way for closer cooperation in agriculture between Brunei Darussalam and Sarawak,” the statement said.

Additionally, Malaysia and Brunei will be working towards the finalisation of the of the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding on Health Cooperation which was signed in 2006 to enhance the capabilities and expertise of health professionals in the two countries.

As Malaysia bolsters its efforts to boost the economy, PM Anwar has said in a speech that the Malaysian economic structure will need to undergo a revamp in order to be a leader in Southeast Asia. He made these remarks during a speech about empowering Malaysia through the MADANI economy. 

Double hatting the role of prime minister and finance minister, PM Anwar said that one of the prominent issues that is hindering the success of the economic system is the premature slowing down of growth in the early stages of the country’s efforts towards development. One example of this, as highlighted by PM Anwar, is the decline of the manufacturing sector which fell below the level of 25% of the country’s GDP. 

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