Liew chairing the meeting with the delegation from Tawi-Tawi. Flanking her are Governor Yshmael (on her right) and the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Datuk Mohd Yusrie Abdullah.
KOTA KINABALU: The Province of Tawi-Tawi was asked to capitalise on the vast business and investment opportunities in Sabah.
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Christina Liew broached the subject on Monday during a meeting with a delegation from Tawi-Tawi which is an island province in the Philippines located in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Welcoming the 10-member delegation led by Provincial Governor Yshmael “Mang” I. Sali, she said :
“The proximity between Sabah and Tawi-Tawi in the region is a great advantage. Since we (Sabah) are your nearest neighbour, there is huge potential for collaboration particularly in the area of tourism.
“We can explore the opportunity for exchange of tourists between the two destinations for mutual benefits.”
Provincial Economic Adviser & Consultant Sulay Halipa, who spoke on behalf of the Governor, said their visit to Sabah was a reciprocal one as a delegation from the Sabah-China Chamber of Commerce (SCCC) led by its President Datuk Frankie Liew had toured Tawi-Tawi in September last year and met with provincial leaders there.
“We look forward to economic cooperation between the two places in terms of trade, tourism and fisheries,” he said, while thanking Frankie for initiating the meeting with the Minister.
The visiting contingent said they have learned a lot more about tourism prospects in Sabah after presentations by the CEO of Sabah Tourism Board Noredah Othman, Director of Sabah Parks Dr Maklarin Lakim and Deputy President of Sabah-China Chamber of Commerce (SCCC) Brett Chua.
“2019 was the best year for tourism in Sabah with an all-high record of 4.2 million tourists,” said Noredah.
Among those present at the meeting were Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Deputy Speaker Benjamin Loong, Member of Parliament for Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao, Attorney John Anthony Lim, Mayor Mohammad Faizal Jamalul (Turtle Islands) and Provincial Director Termizie Masahud of the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism (MTIT).
According to John, tourism is in its infant stage in Tawi-Tawi and this sector is the way forward in line with the provincial theme – Tawi-Tawi to the World. “But how do we go about this? So, coming to Sabah is a study trip for us.”
