(Miri, 27th) — Piasau assemblyman and Miri Mayor Yii Xiao Shan stated that Sarawak has made rapid progress in recent years, becoming one of Malaysia's fastest-growing economic regions, a result attributed to visionary leadership, political stability, good governance, and long-term planning.
He made these remarks while attending the Sarawak Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Chamber (DUBS) Miri Branch’s banquet celebrating Sarawak’s 63rd Independence Anniversary, DUBS’s 40th Anniversary, and the Gawai Dayak Thanksgiving, held last night at the South Lake Club Restaurant.
He pointed out that the “Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030” (PCDS 2030) is a crucial blueprint for Sarawak’s transformation, aiming to develop Sarawak into a high-income, inclusive, and sustainable state by 2030, ensuring that the fruits of development benefit people at all levels in both urban and rural areas.
He said that this strategy encompasses economic prosperity, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability, and drives investment in infrastructure, renewable energy, digital transformation, education, healthcare, food security, and industrial development, with growth gradually expanding to regions including Miri.
Yii Xiao Shan noted that Miri, as the birthplace of our country’s oil and gas industry, is steadily transforming into a regional center for tourism, education, trade, innovation, and investment.
With its proximity to Brunei and its nearness to Sabah and Indonesia’s Kalimantan, Miri has the potential to become the northern Sarawak region’s business gateway, offering broad opportunities for local enterprises.
He mentioned that the development of Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) not only represents advancement in the energy sector but also symbolizes Sarawak’s commitment to enhancing resource value and expanding local economic opportunities. As operations expand, more opportunities will emerge in engineering, logistics, construction, maintenance, environmental services, digital technology, and professional consulting.
He called upon businesses, especially DUBS members, to prepare in advance and enhance their competitiveness to participate in the ever-expanding industrial ecosystem.
Additionally, he pointed out that the establishment of Sarawak’s own airline, AirBorneo, will improve air connectivity, boost tourism, trade, and investment. For Miri, better route connections mean more tourists, investors, and international business activities, which will bring more business opportunities to hotels, dining, retail, and SMEs.
He said that while seizing opportunities, businesses must also improve product quality, strengthen branding, promote digitalization, and make good use of AI and automation technology to stay competitive in a rapidly changing economic environment.
Yii Xiao Shan also praised the DUBS Miri Branch for actively promoting entrepreneurship, maintaining long-term partnerships with government agencies, financial institutions, and industry partners to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“The government cannot develop the economy alone, nor can businesses do it single-handedly. Only through collaboration between the public and private sectors and civil organizations can we create stronger enterprises, higher quality job opportunities, and more sustainable economic growth.”
He expressed, as mayor, his hope to deepen cooperation with DUBS, promote entrepreneurship, support local SMEs, encourage youth participation in business activities, and turn Miri into a more dynamic, livable, and investment-friendly city.
He also pointed out that Sarawak’s multiculturalism is its greatest strength—ethnic cultures and traditions are not obstacles, but important factors in attracting investment and tourists, and should continue to be valued and preserved.
He also congratulated DUBS on its 40th anniversary, hoping the association will continue to grow, nurture more successful entrepreneurs, become a vital partner in achieving the PCDS 2030 goals, and work together to build a stronger Miri and a more prosperous Sarawak.
He made these remarks while attending the Sarawak Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Chamber (DUBS) Miri Branch’s banquet celebrating Sarawak’s 63rd Independence Anniversary, DUBS’s 40th Anniversary, and the Gawai Dayak Thanksgiving, held last night at the South Lake Club Restaurant.
He said that this strategy encompasses economic prosperity, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability, and drives investment in infrastructure, renewable energy, digital transformation, education, healthcare, food security, and industrial development, with growth gradually expanding to regions including Miri.
Yii Xiao Shan noted that Miri, as the birthplace of our country’s oil and gas industry, is steadily transforming into a regional center for tourism, education, trade, innovation, and investment.
With its proximity to Brunei and its nearness to Sabah and Indonesia’s Kalimantan, Miri has the potential to become the northern Sarawak region’s business gateway, offering broad opportunities for local enterprises.
He mentioned that the development of Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) not only represents advancement in the energy sector but also symbolizes Sarawak’s commitment to enhancing resource value and expanding local economic opportunities. As operations expand, more opportunities will emerge in engineering, logistics, construction, maintenance, environmental services, digital technology, and professional consulting.
He called upon businesses, especially DUBS members, to prepare in advance and enhance their competitiveness to participate in the ever-expanding industrial ecosystem.
Additionally, he pointed out that the establishment of Sarawak’s own airline, AirBorneo, will improve air connectivity, boost tourism, trade, and investment. For Miri, better route connections mean more tourists, investors, and international business activities, which will bring more business opportunities to hotels, dining, retail, and SMEs.
He said that while seizing opportunities, businesses must also improve product quality, strengthen branding, promote digitalization, and make good use of AI and automation technology to stay competitive in a rapidly changing economic environment.
Yii Xiao Shan also praised the DUBS Miri Branch for actively promoting entrepreneurship, maintaining long-term partnerships with government agencies, financial institutions, and industry partners to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“The government cannot develop the economy alone, nor can businesses do it single-handedly. Only through collaboration between the public and private sectors and civil organizations can we create stronger enterprises, higher quality job opportunities, and more sustainable economic growth.”
He expressed, as mayor, his hope to deepen cooperation with DUBS, promote entrepreneurship, support local SMEs, encourage youth participation in business activities, and turn Miri into a more dynamic, livable, and investment-friendly city.
He also pointed out that Sarawak’s multiculturalism is its greatest strength—ethnic cultures and traditions are not obstacles, but important factors in attracting investment and tourists, and should continue to be valued and preserved.
He also congratulated DUBS on its 40th anniversary, hoping the association will continue to grow, nurture more successful entrepreneurs, become a vital partner in achieving the PCDS 2030 goals, and work together to build a stronger Miri and a more prosperous Sarawak.