SANDAKAN: The Sabah government will study a proposal to revive barter trade with the southern Philippines, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said although the government had received many suggestions on the matter, a detailed study must be conducted before any implementation as multiple aspects need to be considered.
“Among the factors to be examined are security concerns and the benefits of such activities to traders as well as Sabah’s economy.
“We will discuss this later in meetings with the National Security Council and the State Development Action Council,” said Hajiji.
He was speaking to reporters after inspecting security in tourism areas involving three islands – Bakungan Kecil, Selingan and Lankayan here – yesterday, Bernama reported.
Sungai Manila assemblyman Datuk Hazem Mubarak Musa had recently proposed that the government review the implementation of barter trade as a measure to revitalise Sandakan’s economy, which is seen as increasingly sluggish.
He said it has the potential to attract investors and revive the local economy and at the same time, generating spillover benefits for the state.
