Kota Kinabalu: The State Government welcomed the launch of the Borneo International Centre for Arbitration and Mediation (Bicam) for better dispute resolution (ADR) in the region.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said through training, education and professional development programmes, local legal professionals will be equipped with the necessary tools to excel in ADR, further reinforcing the Bornean states as leading destinations for legal services in the region.
“I am heartened to know that Bicam has the aim of positioning itself as a leading hub for international arbitration and mediation, serving not only the Borneo region but also the broader Nusantara and BIMP-EAGA regions.
“The establishment of Bicam signifies our commitment to fostering a conducive environment for resolving commercial disputes efficiently and cost-effectively,” he said at the launching at the Sabah International Convention Centre, here, Thursday.
His speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister I-cum- Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
“I assure you that the State Government will, through her ministries, departments and government-linked companies (GLCs), support Bicam’s efforts.
“By involving local and international arbitrators and mediators, we can build a diverse and skilled panel of experts, further enhancing the credibility and effectiveness of the centre, seeing that the council overseeing Bicam will comprise heads of professional bodies across the region, hence ensuring a shared vision and effective governance for the centre’s operations,” he said.
Hajiji said Bicam is a testament to the State’s commitment to human capital development, a key component of the State’s development roadmap, the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ).
“By creating a centre of excellence, we aim to nurture competitive, skilled and high quality human capital within our region,” he said.
Hajiji also urged Bicam to emulate the achievements of renowned institutions such as the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) and the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), whose success stories have attracted substantial foreign direct investments.
“With the existence of Bicam, Sabah anticipates a spill-over effect, where the development of this centre will stimulate growth in various industries.
As we position Sabah as a services hub for ADR and banking, we envision a thriving ecosystem that supports lawyers, arbitrators and mediators, creating employment opportunities and driving economic progress for our communities.
“The various capacity-building initiatives in the pipeline also serve as a stimulus to empower our community towards self-sustainability and greater access to global opportunities,” he said.
He also commended the efforts of the Chairman of Bicam, Tan Sri David Wong, who has been instrumental in driving and supporting the centre’s establishment.
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