KUCHING: The Sabah-China Chamber of Commerce (SCCC) is intensifying efforts to foster regional economic integration by building closer ties with Sarawak, signalling a united front in positioning East Malaysia as a strategic hub for Chinese investment into Southeast Asia.
Led by its President Datuk Frankie Liew, SCCC held a high-level exchange session with Sarawak Chinese community leaders, recently. The meeting culminated in a shared commitment to maintain close communication and cooperation in areas of economic, cultural and social development.
During the visit to Kuching, Liew paid courtesy calls on prominent local Chinese leaders and municipal council chairpersons. He was also hosted at a luncheon by Datuk Seri Lau Wei Chiang, President of the Federation of Foochow Associations of Malaysia and Executive President of the World Federation of Foochow Associations.
The session featured in-depth discussions on future cooperation opportunities between the two states.
Among the key Sarawak leaders present were Temenggong Datuk Chin Nyuk Fei, the highest-ranking Chinese community leader in the Kuching Division; Padawan Municipal Council Chairman Chen Kai; Datuk Kong Chai Hing; Datuk Chai Chuan Wei; and Chen Zezhang from Bastein.
“The main objective of this trip is to strengthen collaboration between Sabah and Sarawak in the economic, cultural and social spheres, especially in attracting Chinese investments,” said Liew.
“We hope to jointly promote investment and trade activities across East Malaysia.”
He emphasised that both Sabah and Sarawak are geographically connected, rich in resources and strategically located within Asean, making them ideal gateways for Chinese enterprises expanding into the region.
Throughout the discussions, potential cooperation projects in manufacturing, agriculture and infrastructure were explored. Liew said both states have competitive advantages in natural resources, energy and industrial park development.
“Collaboration between Sabah and Sarawak will unlock synergies that can significantly contribute to regional economic growth. By leveraging our respective strengths, we can create a more robust and attractive investment ecosystem,” he added.
Highlighting previous successes, Liew said SCCC had accompanied a Sabah Government delegation on an official visit to Jilin Province, China, where they secured cooperation agreements worth around RM600 million. The projects, focused on agriculture and manufacturing, have already begun delivering economic and employment benefits to Sabah.
“Through this visit, we hope to deepen our cooperation with Sarawak and attract more Chinese enterprises to invest in East Malaysia, driving shared economic prosperity,” he said.
The meeting, he added, marks a significant step forward in Sabah–Sarawak economic collaboration, and both sides have agreed to maintain continuous contact and actively pursue tangible projects.
“Sabah and Sarawak share bright prospects for cooperation. With complementary strengths in resources, industries and supportive policy environments, East Malaysia presents vast opportunities for Chinese investors aiming to access the wider Asean market,” said Liew.
