THE Sabah Government wants to enhance bilateral relations with Hong Kong through active engagement with the secretaries of relevant departments based in the administrative region of China.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor met with Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive John Lee Ka-Chiu at his office in Hong Kong on Nov 9 to discuss potential economic cooperation.
Hajiji informed Lee about Sabah’s key investment areas namely the energy sector; low energy intensity industry; green technology-based products; biomass downstream products; food processing; medical devices; oil and gas; tourism and new industry.
“I want to see Sabah become a gateway for South East Asia and BIMP-EAGA in particular,” he said. The courtesy visit was made in conjunction with his maiden trade mission abroad.
Lee said he is receptive to direct communications between Hong Kong and Sabah to open doors for more trade and areas of mutual cooperation.
“We look forward to inter-governmental exchanges to strengthen relations,” he said, adding that other areas that Sabah could consider are the Blue and Green Bonds as Hong Kong is top under its Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited to fund development projects.
Lee also welcomed Sabah to hold trade fairs in Hong Kong to showcase Sabah products and business interests
He said Sabah is a popular tourism destination for the Hong Kong people and his government is looking to establish more tourism routes benefiting both sides.
Lee acknowledged that Sabah has been an important exporter of seafood to Hong Kong and noted there is potential for other food products as well.
Accompanying Hajiji were Sabah Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, State Secretary Datuk Seri Sr. Safar Untong and Sabah Economic Advisory Council Chairman Tan Sri David Chu.
Sabah-born Tan Sri Andrew Sheng, a member of the Advisory Council to the Chief Executive, Hong Kong Government, and Hong Kong Undersecretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Bernard Chan were also present.
On Nov 6, Hajiji was in the city of Shenzhen in neighbouring Guangdong province where he delivered a keynote address at the Global Chinese Economy and Technology (GCET) Summit.
Sabah Government and Huawei Technologies had also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Huawei headquarters in Shenzhen.
In response, Lee said he was receptive to direct communications between Hong Kong and Sabah to open doors for more trade and areas of mutual cooperation.
“We look forward to inter-governmental exchanges to strengthen relations.
“Sabah could also consider the Blue and Green Bonds as Hong Kong is top under its Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited to fund development projects.”
Lee also welcomed Sabah to hold trade fairs in Hong Kong to showcase Sabah products and business interests.
