Barter trade revival, special permits will rejuvenate state economy
TAWAU: The Tawau Chinese Chamber of Commerce views the recent announcement by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal on reviving the barter trade and issuing special permits for foreign workers in plantation as progressive measures to rejuvenate the economy of Sabah.
Shafie had announced that the barter trade between Tawau, Indonesia and the Philippines will resume operation in two to three weeks and special work permits will be granted to foreign workers, especially in the plantation sector.
Chamber president Chia Seong Fatt said the cross-border trade between Tawau, Indonesia and the Philippines began more than half a century ago and this business had contributed to the growth and sustainability of the Sabah East Coast economy.
When the previous government banned cross-border trade last year for security reasons, he said this had affected the economy of the east coast of Sabah.
Thus, he said the revival of cross-border trade under the leadership of Shafie would enable resumption of business, hence reactivating the state economic growth.
Chia urged the government to allow wooden boats to use the Tawau barter trade jetty in order to improve operational efficiency and cost effectiveness for the cross border business.
On special permits for foreign workers in the plantation sector, he said Sabah had been facing acute shortage of workers due to the lengthy legalization process and limited quotas with high levy for foreign workers.
The granting of special permits and simplifying of legalization procedures would definitely help to ease the acute shortage issues, he said.