KOTA KINABALU – Security and trade remains the top agenda for Philippines’ Tawi-Tawi Governor Yshmael Ismail Sali as he arrived in Sabah yesterday on a four-day trade mission.
As part of his mission, Yshmael pledged his commitment to the state government in facilitating and engaging appropriate security agencies to strengthen the security and ensure the protection of borders.
“As we move forward with our friendship and joint venture, I commit on behalf of the province of Tawi-Tawi and in my capacity as governor to facilitate and engage the appropriate security agencies to strengthen security, ensure the protection of our borders, and sustain economic activities,” he said during a welcoming dinner held here last night.
In leading his delegation, he said, the mission contains an 11-point agenda that revolves around the natives of Tawi-Tawi and the Bangsamoro people.
Yshmael said his delegates are resolved on the agenda’s purposes, which include the opening of Tawi-Tawi as a gateway to the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines - East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) and the opening of barter trade to boost economic activities with Sabah.
“In our minds and hearts, we want to make business with you without borders,” he said.
Security remains an important part for trade between Sabah and the southern Philippines due to cross-border crimes and kidnapping for ransom, which remain active in the east coast areas of Sabah.
Meanwhile, Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Joachim Gunsalam, who is also the minister in charge of the state’s industrial development, said the government has arranged several programmes in relation to the agenda and remains committed to the BIMP-EAGA initiative.
“We are working closely with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from Brunei, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
“One of its functions is to enhance productivity of SMEs in order to create supply and value chains between SMEs in BIMP-EAGA,” he said.
Yshmael also met with Sabah BIMP-EAGA special envoy Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia and called for the federal government to ease inter-trade activities between Mindanao and Sabah. – The Vibes, October 12, 2021
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