Associations to collaborate to ensure smooth barter trade
KOTA KINABALU: Collaboration between the newly formed Sabah Cross-Border Traders Association (SCBTA) and Mindanao-based Zambasulta Traders Association is essential to ensure smooth operations in barter trade activities.
Its protem chairman, Nordin Ening, said members of both associations had agreed to work closely once the barter trade activities resume on January 1, 2019.
“Myself and Zambasulta president Faizal Jamalul agreed to ensure all our respective members will adhere and comply with all the conditions and requirements specified under the barter trade rules and regulations imposed by the Sabah government,” he stressed.
Nordin said this would mean security in Sabah would be given priority in all trading transactions and activities carried out by traders of both areas, including Indonesia.
“I will be chairing a committee meeting on Tuesday to be attended by our members to discuss the preparation plans of the association and other related issues including problems, if there are any,” the chairman revealed, adding that members would also be clearly informed on the prohibitions of items and products allowed to be traded between Sabah, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Nordin said the chairman of the association would also be a member of the state committee looking after trade activities.
“One of our roles in the committee is to inform the state committee headed by the State Secretary of the latest developments of the traders concerned ... the SCBTA representative will also help find solutions should there be any problem that might arise along the way by the traders,” he added.
Meanwhile, Faizal said Zambasulta and other NGOs in Southern Mindanao had agreed to work in unison with SCBTA, especially the Sabah government to ensure that the goals and objectives of the revival of the barter trade activities could be achieved.
“We will make sure that our members and other Filipino traders will adhere and comply with all the policies imposed by the Sabah government on us.
“We do not wish to see irresponsible people spoil the barter trade activities, especially when it comes to the security aspects of the two neighbours,” the president reiterated.
In expressing gratitude to Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal for the revival of the barter trade activity, Faizal said Filipino traders and other businessmen, including the general public were now looking forward to start trading activities in January.
Faizal said Shafie’s noble decision to again open Sabah doors to traders would greatly help the Filipinos and Sabahans in the long run.
“This policy truly advocates ‘Prosper Thy Neighbour’ as adopted by both the federal and Sabah governments,” Faizal stressed.