Sarawak targets RM280 billion GDP by 2030 through automation

Sarawak aims to double its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from RM140 billion to RM280 billion by 2030 through increased technology adoption and automation. Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani, Chairman of the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), emphasized that businesses must transition from conventional methods to digital solutions to meet evolving industrial and labor demands. He specifically highlighted automation in agriculture to reduce manual labor dependency and improve efficiency in planting and harvesting.

At the 2nd Borneo Economic Forum, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg stated that while governments should provide infrastructure and policy certainty, the private sector must act as the engine of growth by providing capital, technology, and managing commercial risks. He encouraged businesses to expand their reach across the wider Borneo market to enhance supply chains and create new investment opportunities.

To support this transition, Sarawak is exploring new economic drivers, including the hydrogen economy, carbon hubs, and the space sector. Institutions such as CENTEXS and i-CATS are already providing specialized training in fields like hydrogen, aerospace, aviation, and telecommunications to meet the demand for high-skilled labor.