WORK IN UNITY TO ATTAIN REGIONAL STATUS

KOTA KINABALU: The State Government will continue to work with its Federal counterpart on improving policies to facilitate trade and doing business in Sabah, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

He assured that the Barisan Nasional (BN) Government, as a pro-business government, would continue to encourage the private sector as the engine of growth.

"The private sector has and will continue to play a significant role in the economic growth of the State.

"The Federal Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has made strides in making the nation conducive to business and investments through the New Economic Model and various programmes such as the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) and Economic Transformation Programme.

"Today we see a private sector-driven economy in the form of investment in projects, while the Government supports projects by providing infrastructure facilities and the right framework for doing business," he said.

Speaking at the Federation of Sabah Manufacturers (FSM) Nite 2012 in conjunction with its 29th Anniversary Dinner at 1Borneo here, Saturday, Musa, who is also State Finance Minister, said the public and private sector need to work hand in hand in bringing higher growth to the nation.

"We can say with confidence that Sabah is one of the safest and most conducive places to live, to trade with and to conduct business in.

"Sabah offers peace and stability and we are constantly working towards improving the government delivery system so that businesses can further flourish.

"We welcome genuine investments that create quality and meaningful employment opportunities for locals and that helps boost economic growth," he said.

Towards this end, Musa urged all stakeholders to leverage on Sabah's strengths and expertise in order to move forward and achieve prosperity by transforming Sabah into a regional hub.

"This is a major task and on our part, the State will, with support from the Federal Government, continue to improve infrastructure and provide capacity building to position Sabah as a regional hub," he said.

He also commended FSM as the voice of manufacturers in Sabah for doing its part in contributing to the development agenda through a host of activities, complementing the Government's efforts to promote Sabah-made products to the world and to raise the State's profile as an investment destination.

"I also wish to offer congratulations to FSM and the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sabah Branch (MICCI) for the recently concluded Sabah International Business Conference 2012 and the Sabah International Expo 2012 (SIE2012) which carried an apt theme consistent with this 29th Anniversary celebration "Promote Sabah - Hub For The Far East"," he said.

In this process, FSM had gained significant recognition from many local and international trade chambers, he said, adding that the theme "Promote Sabah - Hub for the Far East" speaks of optimism for the State to be lifted to a higher economic status given its rich resources and strategic location within Asean economies.

He was pleased that FSM remains consistent and steadfast in its quest to transform the State in reaping optimal economic heights particularly in attaining regional hub status.

"We view FSM as an effective platform for this vision, and I urge government agencies and trade chambers to work in unity with this organisation towards achieving this common goal.

"By working together, we can overcome issues related to costs of doing business and challenges that periodically dampen industrial and economic growth," he said.

Musa gave assurance that the Government remains responsive to the needs and issues raised by FSM, as the manufacturing sector is one of three engines of growth identified to drive Sabah's socio-economic development and advancement.

"It is my hope that FSM will continue to strengthen in years to come.

You have already achieved much in your almost three decades, and based on your track record, I trust that you will reach greater heights in future," he said. (DE)