ABU DHABI: The strategic collaboration between Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad (BPHB) and Abu Dhabi Ports Group will form a global network to the Asia Pacific region which will positively impact Sarawak.

Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said the collaboration between the two parties can increase port capacity in Samalaju from the network between the ports of Abu Dhabi and Sarawak, specifically Bintulu.

"Through this collaboration, Abu Dhabi Port, located at the centre of maritime route with Africa and Europe, will directly establish a network to the Asia Pacific region.

“From this connectivity standpoint, we believe we can play a role through close economic cooperation between Abu Dhabi Port and our ports in Sarawak,” he said.

He told reporters after a visit to Zayed International Airport here, on Wednesday.

Earlier, he witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between BPHB and Abu Dhabi Ports Group at Khalifa Port.

Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari also expressed confidence that through this collaboration, Bintulu Port will have a competitive edge due to Sarawak’s advantageous position in the Asia Pacific market.

Also present were Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Sarawak Transport Minister, Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, Sarawak Secretary, Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Sarawak Attorney General, Dato Sri Saferi Ali, Sarawak Financial Secretary, Dato Sri Dr. Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Economic Planning & Development), Dato Sri Dr. Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, Tanjong Datu Assemblyman and Chairman of the Kuching Port Authority, Azizul Annuar Adenan as well as other senior Sarawak Government officials. -UKASnews