SIBU: The Sarawak government will launch a pilot project aiming to reform the business registration process in the state, beginning August 1, 2025, and until the end of February 2026.

The initiative to make business registrations faster and easier will be trialled in the Sibu and Kanowit districts over a six-month period, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian announced.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday (July 21), Dr Sim, who is also state Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister, said the time required to register a business would be reduced from over 60 working days to between 14 and 30 working days.

He emphasised that this reform is essential for boosting business activity in Sarawak and positioning the state as a more attractive and investor-friendly destination.

The pilot project is intended to help Sarawak maintain its competitiveness as an investment hub, offering administrative efficiency, predictability in processes, and robust government support for the business community.

Currently, registering a business in Sarawak involves multiple government departments and agencies — including the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), district offices, divisional treasury departments, and local authorities — resulting in an often inefficient and time-consuming process, he explained.

Under the new initiative, all business registrations — including Business Name Registration, Trade Licence, and Operating Licence applications — will be handled by a single agency: the local authorities in Sibu and Kanowit, through a one-stop facilitation centre.

“Applicants will only need to complete a single form that captures all required information for Business Name Registration, Trade Licence, and Operating Licence applications,” Dr Sim said.

The pilot project targets a processing time of 14 working days — from application to licence collection — for low-risk businesses.

“For businesses requiring only a business name and trade licence, the licence can be collected within five working days,” he added.

This timeline, however, applies only to applications that include all the necessary supporting documents and meet the required checklist criteria.

Dr Sim also stressed that applications for high-risk businesses — such as those involving the sale of gas, entertainment centres, care centres for the elderly or children, and reflexology centres — will be processed within 30 working days, as these require input from multiple government agencies.