KOTA KINABALU: Sabah government agencies have been told to speed up their licencing approval processes to facilitate the flow of investments and entrepreneurs in the state’s tourism sector.
In reiterating Sabah’s commitment to assist local investors, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the state’s booming tourism sector would require better facilities to accommodate visitors.
“Do not delay it. For now, we will give a shorter period (for the approval process). It should not take months or years,” he said after the groundbreaking ceremony of Grand Liberty hotel here.
Shafie said cooperation between the state government and investors was essential to spur the economy through other sectors, including construction, transportation and hotel industry, that would provide employment opportunities.
Grand Liberty Sdn Bhd director Datuk Tan Kar Leong said the construction of the four-star hotel was the result of progressive cooperation between the company and the state government in promoting the tourism sector.
He said RM120 million was invested to build the hotel with 301 rooms, a covered swimming pool, restaurants and a meeting room.
“Job opportunities, from management to support staff levels, will be given to people of Sabah,” he said.