SANDAKAN: Tanjong Papat State Assemblyman Alex Thien Ching Qiang hosted Leigh McCumber, Political and Economic Counsellor at the High Commission of Canada, along with Advocacy Officer Dayalan S. Rajoo, during their recent visit to Sandakan.
The meeting took place at Ormond Hotel and served as a platform for meaningful dialogue on Sandakan’s and Sabah’s economic growth, development prospects, and investment potential.
Thien noted that McCumber recently concluded her diplomatic assignment in Vietnam and has just begun her role in Malaysia.
As this was only her third day in the country, her trip to Sandakan marked her first official engagement in Malaysia.
“We are deeply honoured that she chose Sandakan for her initial official visit, and we extend a warm welcome to her in Sabah and our city,” Thien said.
He also shared that he had spent four years working with a Canadian company, making this interaction especially significant as it allowed him to reconnect with Canada from a new standpoint.
The session brought together key business leaders and representatives from Sandakan’s tourism and private sectors, fostering an open exchange on the city’s economic strengths and future direction.
Discussions focused on areas such as downstream processing, infrastructure, energy, human capital development, and tourism, with participants exploring ways to enhance Sandakan’s competitiveness and attract more investment and partnerships.
Thien emphasized that Sandakan holds strong potential across multiple industries and should continue reaching out globally to highlight its assets, resources, and opportunities.
“This meeting allowed us to present Sandakan and Sabah’s advantages and potential to Canadian officials, while also identifying possible avenues for collaboration between Sabah and Canada,” he said.
He added that building stronger international ties could open doors to new investments, joint initiatives, knowledge sharing, and broader economic advancement.
Thien expressed gratitude to local business and tourism representatives for their participation and for sharing their industry insights.
He also thanked McCumber, Dayalan, and all attendees for the productive and insightful discussion, expressing hope that the meeting would lay the groundwork for deeper ties and future cooperation between Sabah and Canada.
“Sandakan must remain actively engaged with the global community and consistently promote what our city and state have to offer. By expanding these connections, we can bring in more investment, expertise, and collaborative opportunities to benefit Sandakan and Sabah,” he said.
