Sarawak on right track to achieving 2030 economic target, says Abang Jo

KUCHING: Sarawak is on the right track in developing its economy towards achieving advanced status by 2030, says Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

The state Premier said Sarawak's efforts were recognised by the World Bank's latest data which showed that Sarawak was now a high-income state.

"Last year, our state revenue recorded an increase. Now our gross national income (GNI) per capita has reached the World Bank's classification of a high-income state.

"This is statistical economic data which gives an indicator that our economy is developing well," he told reporters on Friday (July 7).

On Thursday (July 6), World Bank Malaysia lead economist Apurva Sanghi said Sarawak was now a high-income state as its GNI per capita was above US$13,205 (RM61,608).

“While Malaysia’s quest to join the high income club continues, there is one nice surprise: Sarawak is now a high income state!” he tweeted.

Abang Johari said the next step for Sarawak was to distribute the state's revenue to the people through its post-Covid-19 development strategy.

He said this would enable the people to benefit from various sectors such as tourism, agriculture and manufacturing.

"What's important is our connectivity, infrastructure and water and electricity supply.

"By 2025 or 2026, once our infrastructure is fully implemented, our people can make use of the facilities and their talents to their full potential.

"Then by 2030, we will be able to raise our economic level to developed status," he added.