Prepared by: Ryan Lim

KUCHING: Sarawak, through SMD Semiconductor, is exploring opportunities to deepen its strategic collaboration with Hong Kong in investment, semiconductors, deep technology, and other frontier technologies, following a meeting today between the Premier of Sarawak, SMD Semiconductor, and Gobi Partners.

The discussions are part of Sarawak’s continued efforts to strengthen international connections that can support the State’s ambitions in strategic technologies, while creating stronger links between its growing technology capabilities and Hong Kong’s established financial and innovation networks.

Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, said the engagement could provide a foundation for broader cooperation between Sarawak and Hong Kong.

“We see potential for Sarawak and Hong Kong to build stronger and longer-term cooperation in semiconductors, deep technology, and other strategic technologies, while creating opportunities for both sides to participate in the growth of the regional technology economy,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Potential areas of investment collaboration include identifying institutional, sovereign, and strategic investors; co-investment and investment syndication opportunities for semiconductor and deep-tech companies; strategic investments in regional and international technology start-ups and scale-ups; and the acquisition and commercialisation of strategic intellectual property and technologies.

Meanwhile, Managing Partner at Gobi Partners Malaysia Jamaludin Bujang said Sarawak will be able to leverage Gobi’s wide footprint in the Asian markets, especially in the Near East, to access the latest technologies being developed there.

Gobi, over the past 24 years, has invested in more than 400 technology companies and has the backing of several sovereign funds in the region, which could help the State expedite the process of transformation that it is aggressively pursuing currently.

SMD Semiconductor Chairman Dato Sri Wan Lizozman Wan Umar said the engagement brought together two ecosystems with complementary strengths.

“Hong Kong has established strengths in finance, capital, and innovation, while Sarawak is developing its semiconductor, digital infrastructure, and technology capabilities. Bringing these strengths together can open new possibilities for both ecosystems,” he said.

Chief Executive Officer of SMD Semiconductor, Shariman Jamil, said SMD would focus on translating the broader engagement into practical areas of cooperation.

“For SMD, the next step is to identify where our capabilities and those of our potential partners can complement one another, and where we can develop opportunities that have real commercial and strategic value,” he said. — UKASnews