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Kota Kinabalu: Malaysia is a popular holiday destination with Taiwanese, Chinese from mainland China, South Korea and other countries, said Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Musa Hj Aman.He said Malaysia is experiencing a boost in the number of tourist arrivals, especially from mainland China.

"Last year, we had more than 300,000 tourists from China (to be exact 374,939) and hope to achieve the 1,000,000 mark next year. They love to come here because our people are friendly," he said.

(Recently, Minister of Tourism, Culture & Environment, Datuk Masidi Manjun revealed that there were 296,441 tourists from mainland China for the first eight months of this year).

Welcoming the delegation from the International Federation of Business and Professional Women (IFBPW) Taiwan Taoyuan Club I at a meeting with them (before the start of the 12th Installation of Swepa cum Charity Gala Dinner), Musa said: "It is an honour for you to come and visit our state. It is very kind of our representative Datuk Adeline Leong (as Head of the Malaysian Mission to Taiwan) to invite you to come to Sabah.

"Unfortunately, the weather is a bit unfriendly because of the tail effect of Tropical Storm Lan.

Sabah is a beautiful state and I hope you will enjoy your stay here."

The CM was impressed by the women's active involvement in a diversity of industries in Taiwan such as building construction, hotel and restaurant operations, furniture-making, travel agency, financial consultancy and production of health products.

He said he had visited Taiwan a few times, noting that the country is very progressive and anticipating more visits from Taiwanese businessmen and likewise businessmen from Sabah to Taiwan.

Founder President of Sabah Women Entrepreneurs and Professionals Association (Swepa), Datuk Nancy Ho introduced the Vice-President of IFBPW Taiwan Vice-President, Shirley Lin, Charter President of IFBPW Taiwan Taoyuan Club I, current President Mandy Tsai, President Elect Grace Chung and other members who are successful entrepreneurs.

Briefing the CM on the delegation's itinerary, Ho said the women entrepreneurs and their spouses would be visiting the National Park to view Mount Kinabalu and other tourist spots. "Swepa will be holding a business networking session with the group at the residence of Swepa President Datuk Aminah Ambrose," she said.

She also told the visiting group that Musa is very supportive of women development and advancement in Sabah as reflected in the appointment of Datuk Adeline Leong as Head of the Malaysian Mission to Taiwan, adding "Adeline has done us proud."

Meanwhile, Leong, who is President of the Malaysian Friendship and Trade Centre (MFTC), informed the CM that about 450,000 Malaysians visited Taiwan last year while 300,000 Taiwanese visited Malaysia in the same period, and 10pc of them came to Sabah. "We are working hard to get more Taiwanese to visit Sabah.

But I have to be known as Malaysian Ambassador, not Sabah Ambassador," she quipped, drawing laughter.

Speaking on behalf of the IFBPW Taiwan Taoyuan Club I, its President Elect Grace Chung said they were on a friendship trip to Sabah. "We are very happy to be invited and hope there will be more opportunity to strengthen friendship ties between Swepa and Taoyuan Club I in the near future." - Mary Chin