Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce passes six resolutions
Published on: Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Published on: Tue, May 13, 2025
By: Wu Vui Tek Text Size: Sabah's ports, airports, and road logistics networks are underdeveloped, leading to higher transport costs and inefficient supply chains. - Pic for illustration only. Kota Kinabalu: Six resolutions has been passed including calling for the government to enhance infrastructure and logistic development in Sabah at the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Sabah Chapter 5th General Assembly at the Sabah International Convention Centre. The six resolutions are as follows: 1. Call for the government to simplify import and export approval processes to facilitate Sabah's international trade and investment. Rationale: The current import-export approval procedures in Sabah are complicated, resulting in increased trade costs and reduced international competitiveness. Compared to other regions, Sabah's customs clearance efficiency is lower, affecting business operations and the attraction of foreign investments. Establishing a 'single window' platform and improving the electronic customs declaration system will enhance approval efficiency, reduce administrative burdens, and drive trade growth. 2. Call for the government and authorities to strengthen infrastructure and logistics development in Sabah. Rationale: Sabah's ports, airports, and road logistics networks are underdeveloped, leading to higher transport costs and inefficient supply chains. Upgrading port and airport facilities and accelerating rural road development will help reduce logistics costs, enhance regional competitiveness, and attract more domestic and foreign investors. 3. Call for the government to address labour shortages and reform foreign labour policies. Rationale: The agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors in Sabah have long suffered from labour shortages. The foreign worker application process is cumbersome and approval takes too long, affecting business operations. Simplifying the approval process, implementing transparent management systems, and strengthening local workforce training can effectively alleviate the labour shortage. 4. Call for the government to boost international marketing efforts to revive Sabah's tourism industry and promote international cooperation. Rationale: Sabah's tourism sector has yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels, with international tourist numbers remaining low. Increasing direct flights from major source countries such as China, South Korea, and Japan, providing government financial support for tourism operators, and enhancing overseas promotional efforts will help the tourism industry fully recover. 5. Call for the government to accelerate the development of renewable energy and the green economy. Rationale: Sabah remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels, and its renewable energy sector lags behind. This creates high costs for businesses shifting to green energy. Government-provided tax incentives, subsidies, financing support, and accelerated development of new energy infrastructure would encourage clean energy adoption and promote sustainable development in Sabah. 6. Proposal for the government to implement timely and effective measures to support the digital transformation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Rationale: SMEs in Sabah lack funding and technical support for digitalisation, making it hard for them to adapt to market changes. Establishing special funds, offering low-interest loans, and launching digital training programmes will enhance SME competitiveness and accelerate Sabah's digital economic development. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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