February 18, 2017
Business
By Olivia Miwil
Pictures by Edmund Samunting
KOTA KINABALU: Suria Group will be undertaking the construction of a dedicated international cruise terminal at
Kota Kinabalu Port that serves as marine gateway and second entry point to the city.
Its group managing director Ng Kiat Min said cruise tourism was the sixth Entry Point Project under the Tourism National Key Economic Area (NKEA) intended to improve Malaysia’s competitiveness as a cruise destination.
“Kota Kinabalu Port has been identified as one of the three ports alongside Penang and Klang as having the potential to contribute significantly to the Malaysian cruise industry.
“The dedicated cruise terminal here will complement other Suria Group developments such as Jesselton Quay and One Jesselton Waterfront,” she said, adding the state capital would be a complete destination with world-class attractions, infrastructure and leisure facilities.
Ng was speaking during the launching of two-day inaugural Sabah Port forum here yesterday.
Last year, Malaysia recorded 435 cruises with 682,000 passengers. In the same period, 37 cruise and military ships with 33,039 people arrived Sabah via here, Sandakan and Tawau.
Present were Transport minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.
Liow, in his opening remarks, said Sabah’s strategic location within the ASEAN region, could unlock its potential to emerge as a substantial player in the maritime and logistics sector.
He added the Federal Government had approved and allocated RM1.027 billion for the expansion of Sapangar Bay Container Port to be developed into a transhipment hub that would drive economic growth here.
Meanwhile, Liow said research by the World Bank had indicated weak distribution channels, high handling charges and inefficient inland transportation were the contributing factors for the high costs in Sabah.
“(However), the government is reviewing Cabotage policy for further liberalisation mechanisms to ensure affordable cost of goods and services.”
The policy, which has been implemented in the state since 1980s, requires all domestic transhipment of goods to be made using Malaysian vessels.
Comments
Post a Comment