Boost barter trade with Kalimantan
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan has proposed opening one or two border towns to boost barter trade via land with Kalimantan.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah needs to look at integrating its economy regionally under BIMPEaga (Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines - East Asean Growth Area).
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan, in making the suggestion, pointed out that better economic integration can bring about more opportunities for Sabah.
He was of the opinion that while BIMP-Eaga is an organization which was formed some time ago, it should be invigorated and have new approaches implemented.
He said there could be opportunities that we did not know were there. “For example Kalimnatan is rich in natural resources like petroleum, mineral, gas and coal among others but it does not have the modern and sophisticated services.
“This is where Sabah can come in and provide the services,” Rahman who is in charge of the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) portfolio, told reporters after breaking fast with media practitioners here on Friday.
He also said the state had small and medium industries that could make use of the raw resources.
“I have proposed to open one or two border towns (via road) en route to Kalimantan, from Serudong under Kalabakan district. With such link, barter trade via land can be strengthened as barter trade by water poses security issues at present,” he said, adding that CIQs (customs, immigration and quarantine) would be set up there.
According to the Kota Belud MP, he had proposed this in the cabinet and Sabah government had responded positively.
“But we need to have a thorough (feasibility) study and I have instructed Asian Development Bank to handle this,” he said, adding the full report could be expected in one or two months.
Rahman said response from the provinces in Kalimantan had also been positive.
“What is needed now is to cultivate the relationship with more working visits by Sabah leaders to Kalimantan.
“I will make a visit there to strengthen ties, not country to country (Malaysia and Indonesia) but regionally Sabah and North Kalimantan,” he said.