LABUAN: Labuan this week hosted the Oil and Gas (O&G) Strategic Dialogue to address operational constraints in the industry and strengthen collaboration between the private sector and government regulators to support local economic growth.
The high-impact session brought together 64 participants, comprising senior industry leaders and key government regulators, to discuss critical challenges in Labuan’s O&G ecosystem and identify practical, implementable solutions.
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The dialogue, Labuan’s first, was chaired by Labuan Corporation (LC) chairman Datuk Husni Salleh and organised by Flexi Flex Group, led by its chief executive officer Vijay Sharma, and officiated by Labuan Member of Parliament Datuk Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman.
It served as a strategic platform to bridge the gap between the public and private sectors, with senior representatives from customs, immigration, maritime, occupational safety and health, healthcare and security agencies seated alongside captains of the O&G industry.
Husni said the diverse stakeholder representation reflected a shared commitment to strengthening Labuan’s role as a strategic economic and industrial hub.
The discussion moved beyond formalities to address operational inefficiencies faced by the industry, with participants openly discussing challenges, aligning regulatory expectations and identifying practical solutions to support sustainable growth.
Among the key issues highlighted were customs-related challenges, such as delays in cargo clearance, procedural inconsistencies, limited operational flexibility for offshore-related equipment and documentation requirements that impact turnaround time for O&G operations.
Industry players also raised concerns about the need for clearer coordination between customs and other enforcement agencies, particularly regarding bonded goods, temporary imports for offshore activities, and the movement of specialised equipment, which are critical to maintaining operational efficiency and cost competitiveness.
“We strongly believe that robust public-private collaboration is essential… when industry and government work together transparently and in alignment, we create a business environment that is efficient, compliant and attractive to investors,” Husni said.
Concluding the session, participants agreed that the dialogue would not be a one-off engagement but the start of continuous collaboration, including the proposed establishment of a dedicated task force to monitor follow-up actions on issues raised, such as customs clearance efficiency, inter-agency coordination and security permit approvals.
“While we may not be able to resolve all issues today, we hope this platform will lead to clearer communication, better coordination and meaningful follow-through,” Husni said.
The session also highlighted the special recognition accorded to Flexi Flex Group following its recent achievement as the first Labuan-based company to win the prestigious SME100 Award, marking a significant milestone for Labuan’s private sector.
In his keynote address, Husni congratulated Flexi Flex Group on the achievement, describing it as a new benchmark for local enterprises and a reflection of Labuan’s growing business community.
“I understand that this achievement makes Flexi Flex the first company from Labuan to be recognised among the fastest-growing small and medium enterprises in the country. This is not merely a win for one company, but proof of the resilience and potential of Labuan’s private sector,” he added.
