Sabah to have one-stop centre for investors through its ports

 By Olivia Miwil - December 18, 2020 @ 2:49pm

Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (left) after the handover of appointment letters to the board of directors at the Sabah International Convention Centre. -NSTP/MALAI ROSMAH TUAH
Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (left) after the handover of appointment letters to the board of directors at the Sabah International Convention Centre. -NSTP/MALAI ROSMAH TUAH

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is looking into plans to draw more investments through its ports, which includes the establishment of a one-stop-centre.

Its deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said the one-stop centre would make it easier for investors to deal with the ports.

"I have discussed the matter with the Chief Minister (Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor) as among the plans to bring more foreign and local investors to Sabah.

"When there are investors, we have to find ways to make the process easier for them. Thus, the Chief Minister has agreed to create a one stop centre for them," he said when met after the handover of appointment letters to the board of directors at the Sabah International Convention Centre here.

Present was Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin.

Bung, who is also state Public Works minister, said that the Ministry would be meeting with investors next month where the latter would present the paper work.

Although there is no estimated value of investments yet, he said it would be based on catering to the needs in Sabah that would change the landscape of the state capital.

For now, despite having many ports in Sabah, Bung said usage of the facilities was only between 50 and 60 per cent.

He added that it was a shame that with Sabah's advantageous location, it still could not attract investors due to several reasons.

Among them was because ships had to return with empty volumes after unloading at the state ports which would affect the freight rates.

However, Bung assured that there would be discussions on formulating a blueprint to improve the situation.

"There will be technical and better targeted issues to be discussed and we would not be rushing to implement the Blueprint for now."



Comments