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RoRo ramp in Kudat to be operational next year; Palawan prepares for bilateral trade sea linkage
By Celeste Anna R. Formoso

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, July 2 (PNA) -- An independent online news website in East Malaysia reported Wednesday that Kudat is preparing to become “a hub for bilateral trade between the district and Palawan” because the “Roll On, Roll Off” (RoRo) ferry services will be operational by early next year.

The Daily Express quoted Special Tasks Minister Datuk Teo Chee Kang, saying that “the Federal Government has allocated RM8.84 million to construct facilities in preparation for the RoRo ferry services in Kudat.”

Teo said the state government of Kota Kinabalu is grateful for the funding that will fulfill the important ramp project to launch sea linkages between Kudat and Palawan “to boost economic growth for Sabah and Philippines and the Bimp-Eaga region.”

He added that a consultant has been appointed and he was “made to understand that the design of the project is at the final stage and the physical construction work will begin in a month or two.”

The Daily News stated Teo said this in a speech delivered at the launching and signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the formation of Sabah Palawan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SPCCI) Tuesday.

In this ceremony, Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez was present “to witness the signing and formation of the SPCCI by companies from Sabah, the local based Total Total Megalink Sdn Bhd and Oil Right Holding Sdn Bhd, while the province was represented by four companies –E-Power Technologies Corporation, Maynilad and Philphos Trading Inc.”

Total Megalink Sdn Bhd was represented by its Chairman Datuk Amir Kahar Tun Mustapha, its Chief Executive Officer Dato' Freddie Sua and Executive Director of Oil Right Holding Sdn Bhd Tay Teck Tuan while the Archipelago Philippines Ferries Corporation was represented by its managing partner Dennise C.Trajano, Chairman of E-Power Technologies Corporation Edwin L. Gardiola, Senior Vice-President of Maynilad Patrick C. Gregario and Philphos Trading Inc, Vice Chairman Bienvenido S. Santos, according to the independent news website.

Teo reportedly said that SPCCI will specifically focus on bilateral trade between two regions in different countries. The new initiative, he added, “requires new players who are willing to explore and take that extra risk of finding a new horizon in terms of doing business.”

Teo, who called the event a “historical day for the relationship between Sabah and Palawan,” said it will accord “mutual economic benefits and boost economic catalysts both areas.”

The online news website furthered that the SPPCI shall aid the business sector in Sabah and Palawan “in the joint economic development and prosperity of both areas.”

Governor Alvarez was also quoted in saying “that President Benigno Aquino III is very supportive of the sea linkages between Sabah via Kudat and Brooke's Point in Southern Palawan that will boost mutual economic benefits.”

“We are looking up on the RoRo ferry services to be completed in Kudat that will create sea connectivity between Palawan and Sabah via Kudat. In fact, we have high-speed catamaran ferries in Palawan which can accommodate 35 cars, between 15 and 20 heavy motor vehicles, and about 300 passengers. Therefore, we plan to have a trial run for the sea linkage between Kudat and Palawan tentatively in August this year,” the online website quoted the Palawan governor.

For air connectivity, Alvarez said he “is acquiring small aircrafts to create such connectivity between Kudat and Palawan. He expects this to be provided with single engine 10-seater aircraft before end of this year.”

Furthermore, Alvarez told the The Daily News that he also “hopes to boost tourist arrivals to Palawan which has attracted 2.6 million tourists a year.”(PNA)

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