KOTA KINABALU: There are many areas where Singapore and Sabah can cooperate, including tourism, says Datuk Christina Liew.
The Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister said there is ample room for cooperation between both parties, and that there must be discussions and planning in place to achieve this.
She said this was also mentioned by High Commissioner of Singapore to Malaysia Vanu Gopala Menon during his courtesy call to the ministry on Wednesday (April 26).
Liew said they exchanged views and explored ideas to build their bilateral cooperation during the meeting and also discussed the ongoing setting up of the Sabah Tourism and Trade Office (STTO) in Singapore, among other matters of common interest.
"STTO is a positive development and will definitely open up economic opportunities for Sabah and Singapore for mutual benefit," she said.
She also expressed interest in finding out more about Singapore's regulations governing Airbnb operators.
On Sabah's attractions, Liew said destinations such as the world-class diving spot Pulau Sipadan, Borneo Elephant Sanctuary and Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre are must-visits when in Sabah.
Menon, who arrived here on Tuesday (April 25), is on a working visit until Saturday (April 29).
He said the meeting with Liew was to explore collaboration opportunities while strengthening ties between both parties in view of the reopening of borders and resumption of international flights.
"We discussed ways in which we can promote cooperation between Singapore and Sabah in tourism. I think there are plenty of things we can do together," he was quoted as saying in a press release issued by the ministry.
Menon said he hoped STTO would encourage more Singaporeans to visit Sabah and also enhance trade with Sabah.
He said the relationship had long-term potential and that both Singapore and Sabah should work on it to make it a success.
He was accompanied by first secretaries Warran Kalasegaran and Darren Kee Wei Jian.
Also present were Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment assistant minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, the Ministry's deputy permanent secretary II Alesia Sion and Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chief executive officer Noredah Othman.
