Singapore, Sarawak To Enhance Trade And Tourism Ties

KUCHING (Sarawak, Malaysia), Aug 28 (Bernama) -- Singapore and Sarawak have taken steps to enhance relations in terms of trade and tourism. Singapore Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Chee Hong Fat said the recent opening of the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office (Statos) in Singapore was seen as the best platform for that purpose. “It is a good platform for us to discuss and explore how both parties can boost trade and tourism,” he said after paying a courtesy call to Ruler of east Malaysian state Sarawak, Abdul Taib Mahmud at his official residence in Demak Jaya here Wednesday. The opening of Statos in the republic is expected to boost Sarawak's exports by at least 30 per cent by 2020. Last year, Sarawak exported US$284.81 million (RM1.2 billion, US$1 = RM4.21) worth of goods to Singapore while imports from the republic amounted to RM1.6 billion. The main commodities between Sarawak and Singapore are machinery and transport equipment, mineral fuels, lubricants and groceries. -- BERNAMA