THE latest interest shown by Singaporean businessmen in Sarawak is the setting up of private hospitals.

Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg said there had been two such interests at the moment.

He, however, would not give details citing respect for confidentiality.

Nonetheless, Kuching is believed to be the location for the “international standard” hospitals.

The chief minister, after witnessing the signing of a collaboration between property developer Saradise Sdn Bhd and Borneo International School for the setting up of BIS’ new campus at Saradise in Kuching, said the interest coincided with two existing private hospitals in the state capital embarking on an expansion programme in anticipation of more cross-border patients coming over seeking medical treatment.

Abang Johari also said the Singaporeans’ interest in setting up the private hospitals is linked to the expected influx of people migrating to Kalimantan to follow the shift of their capital city from Jakarta to yet-to-be-named place in their part of Borneo.

Since the state opened the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (Statos) in August, there has been a surge in interest by Singaporean players in seeking business opportunities in the state.

Apart from tourism, the interests range from importing food to furniture.

Last week, the state shipped its first shipment – 12 tonnes of the popular freshwater Tilapia fish.

At the opening of Statos, Abang Johari had said he projected trade with Singapore could increase by 30% by the end of 2020.

Last year, Sarawak’s total exports to Singapore stood at RM1.2 billion, while imports was RM1.6 billion.

The major items traded were machinery and transport equipment, mineral fuels, lubricants and food. – November 2, 2019.