KUCHING: Modern-day entrepreneurs are urged to boldly conduct in-depth analyses of innovation and strategically assess their own strengths in order to face the increasingly competitive economic landscape.

Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, said entrepreneurs must adopt relevant approaches to add value to their products, including the use of modern technology, to position themselves on the path to success.

“It is true that innovation is an important method, but innovation also requires deep analysis of the current situation and the economic landscape of the future.

“After that, we must assess the strengths we possess so that we can compete with our competitors. Those strengths must be taken into account and further enhanced in various ways, including the use of technology that is in line with and relevant to future needs,” he said.

He made these remarks when speaking at the Sarawak Bumiputera Entrepreneur Awards (AUBS) 2025, here on Saturday.

To this end, he said he had recommended to the Chairman of the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani, to invite James Barrat, author of Our Final Invention: Artificial Intelligence and the End of the Human Era, to the International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (IDECS) 2025, which will be held on 22 and 23 October, to shed light on the advantages and drawbacks of artificial intelligence (AI) on the economy.

According to him, this was a crucial matter in charting the way forward for Sarawak’s entrepreneurs in the face of an uncertain future economic landscape.

“In the future, our economic landscape will be extremely complex, and because of this, you need rationality and sound analysis to determine the direction of your business.

“That is why I have asked SDEC to invite James Barrat to give a lecture on the latest technology, including AI. Perhaps the Sarawak Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Chamber (DUBS) could attend the conference, so you will be better informed of the direction to take,” he added.

Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari stressed that once entrepreneurs have clarity on their business direction, they will be able to adapt it to the strengths they already have.

At the same event, he also presented the AUBS awards to 16 recipients across various categories.

Also present were DUBS President Datu Abang Helmi Tan Sri Ikhwan, President of the Sarawak Business Federation (SBF) Dato Sri Abang Abdul Karim Tun Datuk Abang Openg, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment Sarawak Dzulkornain Masron, as well as DUBS Women’s Wing Chief and Executive Council Member Juita Drap. -UKASnews