Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg

KUCHING: Sarawak is considering setting up a furniture park for the Singaporean market, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said since the establishment of the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (Statos), there have been many orders for furniture from Sarawak.

“As a result of that, we are thinking of a dedicated furniture park for Singapore in Sarawak, so that you can get the raw materials that you need to produce good furniture. We can perhaps increase export of our furniture,” he said during the Sarawak Business Federation’s (SBF) gala dinner on Friday.

Singapore Business Federation delegates were also present at the event.

Abang Johari said an educational programme that brings Singaporean school children to visit Sarawak’s villages may also be revived.

He shared his conversation with former president of Singapore SR Nathan, who suggested that Sarawak and Singapore work together in getting young Singaporeans to visit Sarawak.

“President Nathan said many Singaporeans do not know or have not seen live chickens. He suggested bringing young Singaporeans to Kuching, to villages where they can see live chickens. As tourism minister then, we brought school children for the experience. Maybe we can revive the programme, but we bring teachers to see what we can offer,” he said, while offering to pay for the flights of the teachers to come here.

He also hoped the programme could be organised through Statos.