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KOTA KINABALU: BIMP-EAGA Business Council (BEBC) Sabah Chapter under the chairmanship of Carl Moosom (pic) is receiving overwhelming encouragement from authorities of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and Sulawesi in Indonesia in their common desires to level up development projects with the opening of air and sea linkages in the region.

“The Tawi-Tawi Provincial Government headed by Gov. Yshmael ‘Mang’ Sali has strongly expressed their intention to sit down with BEBC Sabah to discuss and identify areas of mutual cooperation to effectively and efficiently develop resources resulting in the upgrade of the living standard of people and increased revenues,” he said.

Likewise, Carl said similar aspiration was also voiced out to him by BEBC from Sulawesi, recently.

He said members from Mindanao and Sulawesi are eager to work closely with Sabah in view of the opening of the Kota Kinabalu-Zamboanga thrice weekly direct flights and Lahad Datu-Sulawesi ferry service scheduled next month.

“The maiden voyage of the Lahad Datu-Sulawesi ferry is scheduled on March 7 while the direct flights will be on March 31,” he said, adding that direct flight from Kota Kinabalu to Manado is expected to be revived this year.

Presently, he said, Philippine-based Aleson Shipping is currently operating the Sandakan-Zamboanga weekly ferry service which was conceptualised and made a reality by BIMP-EAGA in the 90s.

On the invitation of Governor Sali to visit his province, Carl said: “I have yet to brief and seek proper guidance from the Minister of Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau who is also Sabah Deputy Chief Minister”.

With the opening of air and sea linkages, he said free movement of people and cargoes among BIMP-EAGA member countries will be enhanced which will boost economic activities in the region.

“We in Sabah stand to benefit more because the State is geographically located between Mindanao and Indonesia,” he said.

Carl said the newly established BARMM region has the potential of a huge market and will play vital role in upgrading the barter trade transactions between Malaysia and the Philippines.

“Sulawesi is also very important to Sabah especially when Jakarta City eventually moved to its new site,” he said.

Replying to a question, Carl confirmed that officials from Sulawesi and its governor will be organising a trade mission to physically inspect the many economic opportunities that Lahad Datu is offering to business partners.

While in Sabah, he said the visiting Sulawesi government officials will pay a courtesy call on Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

He also revealed that Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez did not abort its Palawan-Kudat connectivity project.

Alvarez is still optimistic that the Palawan-Kudat ferry service will be a reality soon, he said.

At the same time, Carl said BEBC Sabah with the blessing from BEBC Malaysia and cooperation from all its member counterparts in the region are working hard to advocate the “Cruise and Fly” concept to both local and foreign investors.

“We want Sabah to be the hub for cruise sailing within the BIMP-EAGA region including Northern Territory of Australia,” he said, while adding that it also similar with air travel.