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Outgoing United States Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan has expressed confidence that Sarawak will continue to attract greater interest and investment from American companies following sustained efforts to promote the state as a viable business destination. At a media engagement programme here today, he said that while US firms would ultimately make their own investment decisions, Sarawak was increasingly being recognised as a location with strong potential.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kagan stated, "I've told every American company with whom I engage, who are looking at Malaysia, that they should look at Sarawak. But I think that we've helped put Sarawak on the map for American businesses, working with our friends at the American Chambers of Commerce, at the US-ASEAN Business Council, and with the Malaysian government as well as the Sarawak state government."

He further mentioned that there would be greater investment by American f irms in Sarawak over time. The ambassador, who will be leaving the country next month as his tenure comes to an end, noted that US business interest in Sarawak had largely been concentrated in the energy sector and manufacturing activities, such as the Western Digital plant in the electrical and electronics industry.

Kagan believed that as Sarawak's economy continued to grow and diversify, the focus of American business interest would broaden, attracting a wider range of US companies. He highlighted Sarawak's strong potential in the energy sector, particularly in renewable energy, and noted that opportunities extended beyond power generation to include energy transmission and management.

He emphasized that Sarawak's energy capacity, along with its access to electricity and water, positions the state well to attract data centres. Beyond infrastructure, Kagan praised Sarawak's people and talent, which he believed would continue to make the state an attractive destination for foreign investment, including from American companies.