Palawan: Palawan looks forward to enhancing cooperation and connectivity with Sabah in the areas of trade, tourism and culture.Political Secretary to the Chief Minister, Datuk Roland Chia, said that after leading a delegation comprising, among others, Malaysia Maritime Silk Route Research Society key president Prof Datuk Dr Wilson Yong Tung Yung, Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Business Council (BEBC) Sabah Deputy Chairman Datuk James Lim and Malaysia Maritime Silk Route Research Society Forum chairman Dr Damien Lee, in attending several activities in Palawan recently.
The Sabah delegation attended the BIMP East Asean Growth Area International Research Conference on Feb 9, during which they paid a courtesy call to Palawan Vice Governor Leoncio N. Ola last Tuesday at his office.
Also present were Provincial Governor’s Office Chief of Staff Ceasar Sammy A. Magbanua, BEBC Palawan chairman Tehani Fernandez and council member Jojo Sapalo.
Both parties introduced their respective economic prospects, as well as discussed possibilities of collaboration in trade and tourism, including barter trade, strengthening transportation and logistics and connectivity.
Fernandez said BEBC would organise a delegation to visit Sabah next month, with hopes to improve collaboration in tourism and travel packages in effort to penetrate the global tourism market.
In response, Chia welcomed the Palawan officials to visit Sabah and discover opportunities to boost trade.
He was also pleased with the fruitful meeting, especially as both parties are keen to work together.
He hoped that the governments, corporate and community organisations in Palawan and Sabah will continue to seek cooperation and business opportunities in the future.
“I believe international and regional cooperation will stimulate the economy more effectively and benefit the people in both places.
“We look forward to more interactions between Palawan and Sabah in the field of trade and tourism in the future,” he said.
