Author - Trainee STB/KePKAS

Kota Kinabalu: A group of Chinese investors have expressed interest to pump not less than RM2 billion in a particular sector in Sabah. Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, who disclosed this, said this would not only create some 3,000 job opportunities for Sabahans but also many spin-offs. The group concerned expressed this to him when they met earlier, Wednesday, he said, adding the State Government has received other enquiries as well. "The Consulate General of China in Kota Kinabalu is playing an important role and has done a lot of work in promoting China-Sabah friendship and cooperation in various fields. "The Consul General is very diligent and very popular among the people of Sabah," he said at a ceremony to celebrate the 69th Anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China at Pacific Sutera. Mohd Shafie said the State Government is willing to maintain communication and cooperation with the Consulate to jointly promote the friendship between China and Sabah. "We are also willing to provide assistance to the work of the Consulate, including extending assistance and facilities that the Consulate needs when providing consular protection to Chinese citizens. "It must be noted that Sabah has become a favoured destination to China tourists – we have the sun, sea and the beach as well as different types of food that are enjoyed by the Chinese," he said. In his hometown Semporna alone, Mohd Shafie said hundreds of Chinese tourists are there daily. He said the Warisan-led State Government is willing to make better use of the "Belt and Road Initiative" to strengthen cooperation with China in various fields such as infrastructure, agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism. "The agreements related to durian, rubber and palm oil signed during the Prime Minister's visit to China are encouraging. I believe that Sabah can benefit from those agreements," he said. At the same time, he said Sabah welcomes Chinese companies and businessmen to invest in Sabah, bringing more capital and technology, creating more jobs, and adding momentum to Sabah's economic development. "The State Government will strive to provide a convenient and favourable investment environment." Mohd Shafie said the change of Malaysian Government will not change Malaysia's friendly policy towards China, and the same is true of Sabah. "For Sabah, China is very close in both geographical location and cultural customs," he said, adding China's development the past 40 years has benefited the whole world. Tremendous contributions have been made to the world development by lifting 740 million people from poverty. It is shown that China has chosen a suitable path for its own development, which provides reference and confidence for other developing countries around the world." He said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir recently said during his visit to China, that Malaysia's Look East policy in the new period includes learning from the successful experience of China's development, promoting innovation and creativity, as to achieve greater development for the country. - Larry Ralon   Source: Daily Express