KOTA KINABALU – The Borneo International Centre for Arbitration and Mediation (Bicam), which opened today, will help boost Sabah’s position as a major destination for legal services in the region, as well as the state’s own development of human capital, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor.
He said local legal professionals will now have the tools to excel in the field of alternative dispute resolution.
“I am heartened to know that Bicam has the objective of positioning itself as a leading hub for international arbitration and mediation, serving not only the Borneo region but also the broader Nusantara and BIMP-EAGA regions,” he said at the launching of Bicam at Sabah International Convention Centre here today.
His speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan.
Hajiji said Bicam also showed Sabah’s commitment to human capital development.
“By creating a centre of excellence, we aim to nurture competitive, skilled, and high-quality human capital within our region.”
Hajiji urged Bicam to emulate the achievements of renowned institutions such as the Singapore International Arbitration Centre and the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, whose success stories have attracted substantial foreign direct investments.
“With the existence of Bicam, Sabah can anticipate a spill-over effect, where the development of this centre will stimulate growth in various industries.
“As we position Sabah as a services hub for alternative dispute resolution and banking, we envision a thriving ecosystem that supports lawyers, arbitrators, and mediators, creating employment opportunities and driving economic progress for our communities.
“The various capacity-building initiatives in the pipeline also serve as a stimulus to empower our community towards self-sustainability and greater access to global opportunities,” he said.
Bicam’s chairman is Tan Sri David Wong. – The Vibes, July 20, 2023
