Tourism, business among key areas of focus in US-Sabah ties as borders reopen, says envoy

KOTA KINABALU: The reopening of Malaysia's borders on April 1 is expected to renew business and social exchange opportunities with the United States.

US ambassador to Malaysia Brian McFeeters said in renewing partnerships with Sabah after two years of the Covid-19 pandemic and ensuing movement restrictions, his government saw tourism and economic activities as possible areas of focus.

He said education-related programmes which were put on hold during the pandemic, including the English Teaching Assistant (ETA) programme, can now be revived as well.

“The ETA programme is something the embassy has been very proud of but it was put on hold," he told the media here on Friday (March 11).

McFeeters said the ETA programme had been good for Malaysian students who learned about shared values with the United States, and also good for Americans who got to visit Malaysia and learn about the culture, among other things.

“We really hope to renew this partnership,” he said, adding that Sabah will be included when the programme resumes.

The ambassador recalled other programmes which had benefitted both US students and Malaysians as well as Sabahans such as the Youth Exchange Study programme, Young SEA leadership programme, and the Fullbright scholarship programme which could also be revived.

McFeeters said the embassy spent a lot of time talking to US companies about Malaysia, and found they were eager for the borders to be reopened.

“They are very eager... they send Malaysians back to the US for training and we haven’t been able to do much of that,” he said.

McFeeters said US representatives would also find it easier to come to Malaysia to check on new projects with the border reopened.

He cited Sabah's beauty as a certain draw for his countrymen who learned about the state.

During his visit here, McFeeters met with government officials, environment and climate change experts, representatives from various non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and Sabahan alumni of US government exchange programmes.

Issues relating to US-Sabah cooperation on the environment, human rights and public health were discussed.

In his meetings, McFeeters said, he reiterated the US government’s commitment to tackling the climate crisis, combating wildlife trafficking in Malaysia, and working with partners to protect Sabah's rich marine resources and forests.

He highlighted the embassy’s ongoing programmes to increase awareness and build the capacity of anti-trafficking organisations in Malaysia, including Sabah.

“The US values Sabah as a key partner in strengthening the overall US-Malaysia relationship and looks forward to many more visits to Sabah and further collaborations on environmental issues, combating wildlife trafficking, human rights, public health, and youth empowerment,” he said.