ACCCIM impressed with Sabah

21st May, 2012

KOTA KINABALU: The President of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Malaysia, Tan Sri William Cheng is impressed with the rapid economic development that has taken place in Sabah over the last couple of years.“I see a lot of changes in Sabah. It looks different…the economic landscape is different,” he said to reporters after a breakfast meeting hosted by the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman with members of ACCCIM.Attributing the positive changes to the leadership of Musa, he said the current political stability, sound government policies and focused economic direction have led to the significant economic development in Sabah.He said such factors were important in pulling in business and investors to a country and state.William said Malaysia and Sabah have these attributes in terms of the capacity to attract investors and tourists alike.“Sabah is rich in natural resources…oil and gas, timber, minerals and so on but most important, you have the right leadership to take Sabah to greater heights,” he said.He said the sectors of tourism and agriculture namely aquaculture in the state were doing well and had the potential to become bigger.“I am also told that Sabah has strong environmental conservation laws. This is also good for the state in terms of eco -tourism,” he said.Meanwhile, Musa said investors were attracted to do business in Malaysia because of the conducive investor climate, good government policies and stable politics under the able leadership of Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak who strives to be fair to all communities regardless of race and religion.Here in Sabah, he said the State government strives to do the same for all Malaysians in the state.He said the environmental laws on conservation and protection put in place by the present state government actually has long-term positive impact on the overall development of a state.“Protecting your forest, phasing out logging and reforestation means in 30 to 40 years time, the future generation can once again have tropical rainforests which were previously logged,” he said.He said having clean air and water also had positive impact in drawing investors and business to Sabah.Citing a US-based multi-national company, Darden Incorporated, he said the food giant committed some USD2 billion to develop lobster farming off the coast of Semporna because the water is not polluted and the State has sound environmental policies.“The also told me that the other important reason as to why they chose to come here was because of the prevailing economic and political stability in Malaysia and Sabah included, “ he said.On another note, Musa said the Sabah Government valued the contributions by the Chinese community in Sabah especially towards the economic growth of the state.“The government both at the Federal and State level understands the needs of the Chinese community. They want opportunities for their businesses to flourish, their security assured, quality education for their children and their houses of worship continue to remain relevant,” he said.He said the BN government will continue and strive to meet the needs of the Chinese community in Sabah, adding that their continued support is important to the wellbeing of the state.William who is also the President of the Selangor Chinese Chamber of Commerce and his 15-member delegation had breakfast with Musa prior to a discussion.Among those present were Sabah United Chinese Chamber of Commerce President (SUCCC) Datuk Seri Panglima Guan Sau Wah, ACCCIM Vice President and Johor Chinese Chamber of Commerce President Tan Sri Lim Bah, ACCCIM Vice President and Pahang CCC President , Dato’ Lim Sing, ACCCIM Vice President and Negeri Sembilan CCC President Dato’ William Tan, ACCCIM Deputy Secretary General and Terangganu CCC President, Dato Low Kian Chuan, and SUCCC Deputy President Datuk Seri Panglima Sari Nuar.

http://www.newsabahtimes.com