President of JBCCCI Datuk Loh Liam Hiang (third left) exchanges souvenir with MCCCI chairman Lee Khoi Yun (fourth left), as others look on.
MIRI: The ringgit may be weak against the Brunei and Singapore dollars but more foreign tourists are coming to this city.
Chairman of Miri Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) Lee Khoi Yun therefore suggested that air-connectivity be improved to encourage domestic tourists, particularly from Peninsular Malaysia.
“Indeed, it has been a major worry among Malaysians that the exchange rate is as low as one dollar to RM2.80. However, more Singaporean tourists are marching into Johor Bahru during weekends and public holidays, crowding the eateries and shopping malls there.
“The phenomena can lift the economy, promote tourism and provide opportunities for commercial development and new business opportunities in Johor Bahru, where one of the latest projects is the Iskandar Development Region,” he said.
Lee, who returned from a short trip to Johor Bahru Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCCI) last month, said this city might be separated from the peninsula by the South China Sea, but it had high tourism and economic potential.
“Miri has potential like Johor Bahru with major attractions such as world-class natural ecological Mulu National Park, Niah Caves National Park as well as Miri Luconia Coral Reefs National Park, which is rich in marine resources.
“The prestigious Miri City International Deep Sea Fishing Tournament attracts foreign anglers from Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China, Singapore, India and European countries as well as West Malaysia. It’s a divers’ paradise.”
Hence Lee hoped local airlines could offer more affordable flights to and from here.
“Unlike the peninsula where people travel using roads mostly, flying is our only option to travel abroad,” he said.
Last month, Lee Khoi Yun led a delegation comprising MCCCI committee members on a
four-day, three-night visit to several chambers of commerce including Johor Bahru Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chinese General Chamber of Commerce Kluang, Batu Pahat Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chinese General Chamber of Commerce Muar, Malacca Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Negeri Sembilan Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“It is hoped that from these visits, we would be able to exchange and share experiences, to seek mutual understanding and to be more aware of each other. We look forward to the chambers developing cooperation in trade and economy” Lee said.
During these visits, Lee took the opportunity to invite president of Johor Chinese Chamber of Commerce Datuk Loh Liam Hiang and his committee members to attend MCCCI’s 90th anniversary celebration this Sept 5.
