Manyin (seated centre) witnessing the signing of the agreement by Ling of Aspire Link (left) and Leung of NetDragon (right). Abang Johari is seen standing third from left.
KUCHING: Sarawak is keen to establish economic ties with China’s Fujian province as part of efforts to develop the state’s economy.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, who was on a three-day working trip to Fujian, said his visit would pave the way for greater economic collaboration with the province in southeast China.
“We hope that enhanced economic ties between Fujian and Sarawak will lead to people-to-people relationship, which will help the tourism industry in both regions,” he said during a courtesy call on the provincial governor, who was represented by executive vice-governor Zhang Zhinan, in the provincial capital Fuzhou on Tuesday.
Abang Johari said Sarawak was exploring ways to bring digitalisation to its preschools and held discussions with Fuzhou-based NetDragon Websoft Ltd on Monday.
He told his Chinese counterpart that Sarawak was investing RM1bil to upgrade its IT infrastructure to enable effective digitalisation of its economy, including education.
He also extended an invitation to the provincial governor to visit Sarawak to cement cultural and economic ties between the state and Fujian.
Later Abang Johari and Zhang witnessed the signing of an agreement for collaboration between Sarawak-based Aspire Link Sdn Bhd and NetDragon.
Datuk Stanley Ling signed for Aspire Link and vice-president Dr Simon Leung for NetDragon, witnessed by Education, Science and Technological Research Minister Datuk Seri Michael Manyin who represented the state government.
The Chief Minister’s itinerary ended with a tour of the historical and cultural streets of Three Lanes and Seven Alleys in Fuzhou.
