KOTA KINABALU – The Sabah government plans to set up a one-stop centre to attract more domestic and international investors to the state and boost the local economy.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said the proposal has been submitted and is being discussed with Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor.
He is optimistic that the one-stop centre will minimise red tape for potential investors.
“Surely, when it comes to investors, we have to find an approach to facilitate their dealings in the state. In this regard, the chief minister has agreed for the one-stop centre to be set up.
“Next month, 10 investors will be coming to Sabah to present their working papers,” he said after presenting letters of appointment to chairmen and board of directors of four government agencies at Sabah International Convention Centre here today.
Meanwhile, Bung Moktar, who is also Sabah works minister, said an action plan will be presented to the state cabinet on the development roadmap for Sabah’s port sector to maintain its sustainability and efficiency.
He said the action plan is important to optimise the capabilities of Sabah’s ports, considering that their utilisation currently is only around 50-60%, despite the fact that the state is strategically located near China, the Philippines, Indonesia and Brunei.
“I will discuss this matter with the state Works Ministry’s permanent secretary. We in Sabah have eight ports. It is not that we are unhappy with our ports, but they don’t really seem to attract the attention of the world. As the minister in charge, I will not stay still.
“We will upgrade some of our ports as international ports that will become an attraction to traders and entrepreneurs throughout the country,” he said. – Bernama, December 18, 2020
