France keen to boost economic ties with Sabah

1 August 2023

By Wartawan Nabalu News

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has attracted the interest of France, the latest European Union (EU) country that wants to strengthen its bilateral economic ties with the state.

France Ambassador to Malaysia Axel Cruau said he was impressed by Sabah's potential in various sectors, especially oil and gas, forest conservation and tourism.

He said French investors were keen to explore opportunities in these sectors, as well as to promote cultural and educational exchanges with Sabah.

One of the projects that he was looking forward to was the opening of Club Med Borneo, a French-owned eco-friendly resort in Kuala Penyu, which was expected to be operational by next year.

"We have a French company opening the Club Med Borneo soon, and we are very excited about it," he said after paying a courtesy call on Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor at Menara Kinabalu here today.

He also noted that Sabah's economy would benefit from the relocation of Indonesia's capital to Kalimantan, which would create more opportunities for trade and cooperation.

Hajiji welcomed France's interest in Sabah and said the state government was open to foreign investments and tourism.

He said Sabah had a lot to offer to French tourists, who could enjoy its rich biodiversity, world heritage sites and diverse cultures.

"We wish to see more French tourists coming to Sabah. Sabah has much to offer with our rich bio-diversity, especially the world heritage Mount Kinabalu and diverse cultures," he said.