SANDAKAN, ZAMBOANGA PRIVATE SECTORS TO BOLSTER BILATERAL TRADE

By Haslin Gaffor

SANDAKAN (Sabah, Malaysia), Sept 24 (Bernama) -- The private sector here and in Zamboanga, Philippines, have agreed to find the right mechanism to boost bilateral trade under the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

State Industrial Development Minister Raymond Tan Shu Kiah said this was
crucial to face changes and challenges in the global business.

The move will pave the way for higher bilateral trade volume," he told
reporters after discussions with the private sectors, consultant companies and
Manila-based Asian Development Bank involved in the Sandakan-Zamboanga bilateral
trade.

Among matters discussed are upgrading customs, immigration and port services
and increasing the number of ferries plying between Sandakan and Zamboanga.

Tan said the improvements would facilitate higher two-way trade volume and
woo more traders from neighbouring countries to do business in this district.

He said the main focus was to upgrade services at Sandakan and Zamboanga
ports as they were the gateways between the two points.

Tan said the Asian Development Bank had appointed a consultant company to
conduct a study and provide suggestions to improve services at the two ports.

"This is a positive development to boost bilateral trade between the private
sector here and in Zamboanga. I hope after the study has been completed there
will be follow up with implementation of the ways recommended to improve
services.

"This is crucial because of the keen competition in the global business
environment," he added.
-- BERNAMA