Uggah, who is also Sarawak’s infrastructure and port development minister, said the state can learn from the success of Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates, where the integration of a modern port with a FTZ attracted more than 11,000 companies worldwide and now contributes 36% to Dubai’s gross domestic product.

To emulate this success, he said, the Sarawak government is rolling out the Sarawak Ports Master Plan, a visionary initiative that seeks to transform the state’s ports into engines of economic growth, making Sarawak the gateway to Borneo, the wider region and the global market.

“The plan aims to establish a modern, efficient and integrated port system that is internationally competitive and fully aligned with the state’s Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030.

“The transformation will be driven by four key pillars: streamlining governance; modernising and developing port and FTZ infrastructure; driving economic diversification; and enhancing regional and global connectivity,” he said during the winding-up session for his ministry at the Sarawak state legislative assembly here today.

Uggah, who is the Bukit Sabah assemblyman, said the Sarawak Ports Master Plan marks a historic first transformative initiative that positions the state as a key player in global trade and logistics.

“More than just a development blueprint, it is a game-changer for Sarawak’s economic trajectory, laying the foundation for sustainable growth that goes beyond reliance on natural resources.

“By strengthening our port infrastructure and connectivity, we are creating new opportunities for businesses, empowering local industries, and opening Sarawak to the world,” he said.