Kudat suffered from lack of access: Teo
Published on: Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Kudat: Special Tasks Minister Datuk Teo Chee Kang urged the Chinese business community to turn threats into opportunities and uncover business opportunities during the current economic downturn. "The Chinese community should remain steadfast to overcome the challenges during tough economic times," he said when gracing the 111th anniversary celebration of Kudat Chinese Chamber of Commerce here recently. He said the lack of accessible routes to Kudat has hindered progress in the district, particularly business developments. ADVERTISEMENT Teo said he had personally proposed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to build a ramp for roll-on-roll-off (Roro) service to connect Kudat and Palawan Province, Philippines, as well as a new coastal highway from Tuaran to Kudat during the latter's visit to the district a few years ago. "Both projects have been approved by the Prime Minister," he said. Teo said the construction of the ramp for the Roro service has commenced and was expected to be operational six months later."The project, which costs RM8.84 million, will bring business opportunities to Kudat," he said, adding that Najib allocated RM12 billion for road developments in Budget 2016. ADVERTISEMENT "Construction of the coastal highway from Tuaran to Kudat will commence in 2017. "The highway will shorten the travel distance between Kudat and the State capital."
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On another note, Teo said the Kudat Chinese Chamber of Commerce has always been pursuing the interests of the Chinese business community as well as preserving Chinese education and culture since its inception. He said a group of Hakka people travelled from China and settled in Kudat around 130 years ago, who then established the Kudat Chinese Chamber of Commerce. "Wherever the sun shines, there are Chinese people. Wherever there are Chinese people, there will be trade and commerce."For the past 111 years, he said the chamber has remained focused in its effort to promote trade exchanges among the Chinese business community and preserving the Chinese culture. Teo urged the Chinese business community in Kudat to create more employment opportunities to prevent brain drain and stimulate the local economy. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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He added that Chinese chambers of commerce served as bridge between the government and Chinese community as well as a platform for the people to share their views with the government. Also present at the celebration were Sabah United Chinese Chambers of Commerce (SUCCC) President Datuk Seri Gan Sau Wah, Beaufort Chinese Chamber of Commerce President Datuk Seri Chong Nyuk Yong, SUCCC Secretary General Datuk Ling Tiong Chai and Kudat Chinese Chamber of Commerce President Pak Chee Eng.