KOTA KINABALU: Foreign Minister Datuk Anifah Aman played host to 62 ambassadors and high commissioners, including their spouses, to a luncheon at the Bunga Raya Resort, yesterday.

Anifah with his foreign guests at the Bunga Raya Resort.

“They are very pleased with Sabah, they love it here and were impressed with performances and celebration of the Malaysia Day on Thursday.

“I have also spoken to some of the ambassadors and they are very much impressed with our 1Malaysia concept, they were able to see it through our cultural shows which truly reflect the concept,” he told reporters, yesterday.

Anifah said some of his foreign guests said that Sabah’s beauty was beyond their imagination, and some hoped to return in the future.

Also present at the luncheon were Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, his deputy Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan and Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun.

Meanwhile, Musa in his speech said they are a pro-business government that strives to create an investment and visitor friendly climate.

He said that with over 30 ethnic groups in Sabah, they are still able to live and work together in peace and harmony, which he stressed is an important foundation for political stability and economic growth.

“Sabah is not only rich in cultural heritage but also in natural resources and tourist attractions. The state is also one of the top destinations for the Malaysia My Second Home programme with people from all over the world coming to our shores to set up homes.

“The Kota Kinabalu International Airport is the second busiest airport and we have an open sky policy. Last year alone, 2.2 million people visited Sabah and we expect that number to grow,” he said.

He said that with the tourism offering promises for growth, he welcomed investments and cooperation to further tap its potential.

“Apart from tourism, Sabah’s two other engines of growth are manufacturing and agriculture. Focus on these sectors is starting to bear fruit, generating billions of local and foreign investments,” he said.

Source: http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=68779

| More...