TRANSFORMED LABUAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MORE PROACTIVE TO SERVE BUSINESS COMMUNITY

LABUAN, Dec 7 (Bernama) -- The Labuan Chamber of Commerce (LCC) has gone through a massive transformation since its reestablishment in June this year, keeping in step with its new agenda to proactively serve its members and clients, chairman Daniel Doughty said.

Doughty said that the LCC has successfully lobbied the interests of its members through numerous advocacy efforts to obtain transhipment licences to carry out barter trade activities.

“The LLC has been revived for almost six months now, and we have collectively made achievements which are significant for Labuan’s economy. Transhipment activities between Labuan and the Southern Philippines are en route to being revived,” he told Bernama after the LCC and Labuan Media Practitioner Association dinner last night.

Founded by the late Datuk Francis Tee, LCC was established in 1977.

“The LCC today is not the same as it was in early January 2020. We are now working towards rebranding the chamber and we would want it to be more proactive,” he said.

On the preparation of transhipment activities by the Labuan Liberty Port operator of Megah Port Management (MPM) Sdn Bhd, he said cargoes of rice and sugar have arrived and are being stored at the port's warehouse.

“We anticipate transhipment activities to kick off between end of this month and January next year,” he said.

Doughty also said Labuan’s maritime connectivity has improved tremendously with shipping liners working closely with the Labuan port operator of MPM.

Evergreen Shipping Sdn Bhd resumed her services to Labuan, while MTT Shipping Sdn Bhd is offering extra trips plying the Labuan-Port Klang route, he said.

A recent business outlook survey by the chamber revealed that Labuan could be a viable economic destination for local and foreign business players despite the turbulence generated from volatile oil prices and the competitive financial industry sector.

“We need to ensure Labuan remains competitive as a business destination. The chamber is grateful to the local authorities, especially Labuan Corporation for its positive response and efforts to address economic-related issues plaguing the various industries on this island.

“The local authority was quick to improve the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for maritime-related sectors as Labuan reopened its economy in stages,” he said.

The last six months saw visits by transhipment industry players from the Southern Philippines. Some of the milestones achieved in the past six months involved insurance coverage on wooden vessels (kumpit) for transhipment in Labuan waters and permits from the Philippines Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) for transhipment activities. Both issues were resolved.

-- BERNAMA