By Fiqah Roslan
Deputy Speaker leads delegates on visit to China to enhance ties
KOTA KINABALU: A group of delegates led by Sabah State Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Datuk George Ginibun embarked on an official visit to China yesterday, to enhance bilateral and diplomatic relations between Sabah and China, as well as Malaysia and China as a whole.
It was also part of the new government’s initiative to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) from across the Asian region to boost local economy, said Ginibun.
“We hope our visit could contribute to attract China investors to come and do business in Sabah. Among areas of interest include tourism, agriculture, trade and higher education.
“This would also serve as an opportunity for members of this delegation to interact with and learn more about the government setup in China,” he said, when met at the airport shortly before their departure.
The visit was a reciprocal trip after a large group of investors from China recently concluded their visit to Sabah and expressed keen interest in investing RM2 billion into the State in various business industries.
According to Ginibun, the RM2 billion would be the first phase of investment for what could possibly be a multibillion-ringgit investment into Sabah in the long run.
“Having met with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal for a lengthy understanding of the Sabah economy and business ambitions, the group from China was convinced that Sabah would be a near perfect place to foster a long-term business relationship between China and Malaysia.
“To further prove their commitment, the investors invited a group of us to visit China from October 15 to 23, to further discuss their investment intention and explore probabilities in certain business industries, as their first step towards investing into Sabah.
“This visit to China by our Sabah delegates is fully endorsed and approved by the Chief Minister,” said Ginibun.
The Sabah delegation comprised former Kota Kinabalu City Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir, former Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Masiung Banah, Sabah State Legislative Assembly secretary Datuk Bernard J. Dalinting, Likas assemblyman Tan Lee Fatt, Luyang assemblyman Phoong Jin Zhe and special officer to the Speaker of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly Sainin Mirin.
In addition to leading the delegation, Ginibun was also tasked to observe the fields of China’s economy, science, technology, industry and social development.
He added that he would be reiterating to the China investors that the Sabah government is willing to strengthen cooperation and would provide convenient and favourable investment policies with them.
“Sabah would also be willing to learn from China to upgrade the speed and quality of development here and with this visit, we hope to quickly bring in the China investors and create a much better economy and livelihood for all Sabahans.
“This official visit is also an opportunity for members of the delegation to study the government setup of China, particularly the standing committee of its Provincial People’s Congress,” he said.
The delegation’s official schedule included meeting with top officials of the Beijing Municipal People’s Congress, Standing Committee of Lijiang Municipal People’s Congress, Standing Committee of Dali Prefecture People’s Congress, Standing Committee of Yunnan Provincial People’s Congress and Foreign Affairs office, as well as Standing Committee of Yunnan Provincial People’s Congress.