Abang Johari gestures when delivering his address during the event – Ukas photo

KUCHING (Sept 28): Entrepreneurs in Sarawak must strive to increase the value of their products and opt for modern technology to promote themselves in the global arena, said Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

The Premier said they should consider conducting a detailed analysis of innovation, taking into account their own advantages to serve as a strategic move in facing challenges in an increasingly competitive economy.

“Certainly, innovation is a way forward, but it requires a careful analysis of events and the future economic landscape. We must look at the advantages we have to compete with others.

“Our advantages must be enhanced through various ways, including using modern technology in line with meeting future needs,” he said during the Sarawak Bumiputera Entrepreneur Awards 2025 held here yesterday, as reported by  the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas).

For the betterment of local entrepreneurs, Abang Johari suggested that Sarawak Digital Economic Corporation (SDEC) chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani invite James Barrat, author of ‘Our Final Invention: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the End of the Human Era’ to the International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (IDECS), scheduled for Oct 23.

He believed that having Barrat at the forthcoming conference would contribute to exploring the advantages and disadvantages of AI on the economy.

According to him, this is essential to ensure the future direction of Sarawak entrepreneurs in the face of the economic landscape.

He pointed out that Sarawak’s economic landscape will be quite challenging in the future, and that is why its business industry players need rationality and good analysis to determine the future of business.

“Therefore, I ask SDEC to invite James Barrat to give a lecture on the latest technology, including AI and maybe the Sarawak Bumiputera Chamber of Commerce (DUBS) can attend the conference too so that we learn more about the direction,” he added.

Abang Johari said entrepreneurs must make good use of this opportunity to excel in doing business.

At the ceremony, he presented 16 entrepreneur awards to recipients in various categories.