KOTA KINABALU: The twinning of Kota Kinabalu and Rockingham City

has started a platform for both cities to execute the purpose of the

Memorandum of Friendship Understanding signed in November 2007,

said Datuk Abidin Madingkir, Mayor of Kota Kinabalu, yesterday.

“The commitment by both parties to execute the purpose of the

memorandum has seen subsequent visits between the two cities that

had also led to the setting up of the Sabah-Western Australia Trade

Centre here in Kota Kinabalu,” Abidin remarked in his speech on the

occasion of the Rockingham City’s seminar on investment and

tourism.

As the new mayor of Kota Kinabalu, Abidin said he would give his full

support to the success of bilateral trade relations between the Kota

Kinabalu City Hall and the City of Rockingham.

He noted that this was the third official visit of the Mayor of

Rockingham Barry W Sammels.

Later Abidin told a press conference that there would be more

exchange of views and expertise between the authorities of the two

cities.

On education, he said, “We are looking at all possibilities whether it is

viable for a branch campus of Murdoch University in Kota Kinabalu as

Curtin University had already a campus in Sarawak.”

To a question on collaboration between the two cities, Sammels said,

“We can learn a lot from Kota Kinabalu, and will also look at how we

can assist our twin city.

With the friendship relationship, Sammels added, there would be more

exchanges and interaction between both local authorities.

“The thrice weekly Kota Kinabalu-Perth flights,” Abidin said, “would

lead to the enhancement of a long-term trading relationship between

Sabah and Western Australia.”

The seminar attracted about thirty participants from the public and

private sectors.

Verghese Jacob, regional director of Western Australia, gave an

overview of Western Australia.

Rockingham City Councillor Deb Hamblin and its CEO highlighted the

investment opportunities in Rockingham.