Established in 2017 and fully owned by the Sarawak government, the Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS) is a strategic development institution created to support Sarawak’s long-term economic transformation and financial autonomy. Unlike commercial banks, DBOS does not accept public deposits; instead, it provides stable, long-term financing for priority projects such as infrastructure, energy (including renewable and green energy), agriculture, tourism, the digital economy, and strategic urban development.
Funded by government capital, statutory bodies, and government-linked entities, DBOS enables Sarawak to reduce reliance on federal allocations and non-renewable resources, accelerate rural and infrastructure development, and better control its own development priorities. Its profits are tax-exempt on the condition that they are reinvested into infrastructure financing, ensuring continuous support for the state’s growth.
Together with Sarawak’s growing involvement in the banking sector—such as its stake in Affin Bank—DBOS represents a broader strategy to keep financial resources, decision-making, and economic benefits closer to home. More than just a bank, DBOS serves as a financial backbone and development engine, strengthening Sarawak’s resilience, execution capacity, and long-term path toward economic self-reliance.
