SCCC, SEAC to forge strategic partnership to boost Sabah–China economic cooperation

KOTA KINABALU (Jan 14): The Sabah China Chamber of Commerce (SCCC) plans to establish a strategic partnership with the Sabah Economic Advisory Council (SEAC).

Moving forward, both parties will work closely through information sharing, resource complementarity and integration of respective strengths to jointly promote more effective Sabah–China economic and trade cooperation, thereby enhancing Sabah’s overall economic development and sustainable growth.

This was announced by SCCC President Datuk Frankie Liew, who recently led a delegation of council members on a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Sabah Economic Advisory Council, Tan Sri David Chu Sui Kiong.

The Sabah China Chamber of Commerce will hold its Third Council Swearing-in Ceremony on Monday, 16 March 2026, in the evening at the Imperial Palace Banquet Hall, Sabah Hakka Building.

In this regard, Liew recently led members of the newly elected council on a courtesy call to Chu, a prominent industrialist, to formally invite him to grace the ceremony, and at the same time to respectfully reappoint him as Honorary Advisor of the Sabah China Chamber of Commerce.

During the meeting, Chu expressed his admiration for the Sabah China Chamber of Commerce’s longstanding commitment to active engagement and collaboration with various sectors in China. He noted that the Chamber has successfully promoted numerous international conferences, exhibitions and business matching programmes, providing Sabah with an important platform for international exchange.

He also welcomed the prospect of collaboration between the Sabah Economic Advisory Council and the Sabah China Chamber of Commerce, expressing hope that both organisations would work together on more China-related economic and trade initiatives in the future, thereby jointly opening up broader development opportunities.

Chu further revealed that he would be meeting the Sabah Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, in the near future and give a detailed briefing on the direction and functional role of the Sabah China Chamber of Commerce, as well as explore the feasibility of future collaboration between the Sabah Economic Advisory Council and the Chamber.

He added that to his understanding, the Chief Minister himself has been aware of and has acknowledged the Chamber’s long-term efforts in promoting exchanges and cooperation with various sectors in China.

Liew expressed his satisfaction at the prospect of both organisations becoming strategic partners, noting that such cooperation would help facilitate bilateral investment, trade and industrial linkages. He added that this would further strengthen Sabah’s competitiveness on the regional and international economic stage, while jointly contributing to Sabah’s overall economic development and sustainable growth.

Liew also highly praised Chu as an outstanding Sabah-based entrepreneur with keen business acumen and remarkable achievements, often described as having the ability to turn opportunities into success.

Numerous property development projects undertaken by his team — including the iconic Jesselton Twin Towers (Tianxi 168), Jesselton Residences, and Jesselton Mall Duty-Free Shopping Centre — have become important landmarks in Kota Kinabalu and Sabah. These developments have attracted strong interest from local and international investors, making significant contributions to enhancing Sabah’s urban image and economic vibrancy.

Liew expressed his hope that, under the guidance and support of Chu, the Sabah China Chamber of Commerce would continue to play its role as a vital bridge, further deepening cooperation between Sabah and China in areas such as trade, investment, culture and the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector, and injecting new momentum into Sabah’s high-quality economic development.