ATEX 2025 to forge stronger collaborations

Published on: Monday, May 26, 2025
Published on: Mon, May 26, 2025 Text Size: Hajiji presents a memento to Aseanta President Eddy while Joniston (second right), Tan (second left), Nigel (left) and Zamani (right) look on. The ASEAN Travel Exchange (ATEX) 2025, scheduled to be held here on 19 June will bring together regional tourism players to forge stronger collaborations within the ASEAN tourism industry. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor was briefed on ATEX 2025 by a delegation of high-powered tourism players at Menara Kinabalu today. Federation of Asean Travel Association (FATA) President Datuk Tan Kok Liang said ATEX 2025 will be the first international B2B tourism event to be hosted and is expected to bring in 200 international buyers and 100 regional sellers for trade, dialogue and collaboration in the tourism sector. Supported by the State Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment and key tourism organisations, ATEX 2025 is set to be a game changer in positioning Sabah to the forefront of regional and international tourism markets. The delegation comprised of Asean Tourism Association (Aseanta) President Eddy Krismeidi, Federation of Asean Travel Association (FATA) President Datuk Tan Kok Liang, Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) President Nigel Wong and Air Asia Director, Global Policy and Government Relations, Zamani Rafique. Joining the delegation was Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister and Chairman of Sabah Tourism, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Daily Express

24 minutes ago

• Daily Express

Penampang Municipal Council first to get green building certification

Published on: Saturday, June 21, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 21, 2025 By: Nikko Fabian Text Size: Joachim during a ceremony that also launched MPP's new e-Complaint application and Command Centre. PENAMPANG: The Penampang Municipal Council (PMC) achieved a significant milestone in its commitment to sustainability and innovation, becoming the first government building in Sabah to receive Green Building certification. The official announcement was made Friday by Deputy Chief Minister II and Minister of Local Government and Housing, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Joachim Gunsalam, during a ceremony that also launched MPP's new e-Complaint application and Command Centre. Joachim lauded the council's achievement as a testament to its dedication to addressing global climate change challenges and promoting energy efficiency. The Green Building certification reflects PMC's commitment to sustainable building practices, including the installation of solar panels, energy-efficient equipment, and LED lighting. This aligns perfectly with the Sabah Maju Jaya Development Plan's focus on people's well-being and environmental sustainability, he said. The Green Building certification underscores PMC's proactive approach to environmental responsibility, setting a new benchmark for local authorities in Sabah. Advertisement Joachim said the council's adoption of new technologies not only reduces long-term operational costs but also contributes significantly to global efforts in combating climate change. Beyond the environmental achievements, Joachim added that the launch of the e-Complaint application and the Command Centre marks a significant step towards digital governance and data-driven management. 'The Command Centre, equipped with a CCTV monitoring system, enhances security, traffic management, and disaster response capabilities…The e-Complaint application provides citizens with a more efficient and transparent channel for submitting complaints, fostering a more responsive and citizen-centric municipal administration. Joachim expressed his gratitude to all involved, particularly former MPP President Francis Chong, Benny Ng, and Shareda for their technical and professional expertise. He urged other local authorities in Sabah to emulate MPP's innovative approach to sustainable development. The event was attended by key figures including Kepayan Assemblywoman Jannie Lasimbang, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Jamli Lasimbang and representatives from Shareda and GreenRE. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia

Daily Express

39 minutes ago

• Daily Express

Need to shield B40 from SST impact: Umno

Published on: Saturday, June 21, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 21, 2025 By: Abbey Junior Text Size: Suhaimi noted that Sabah remains one of the states most affected by development imbalance and income inequality — making it all the more urgent for the government to provide strong buffers against the impact of new taxes. Kota Kinabalu: With the full implementation of the Sales and Services Tax (SST) in Sabah just around the corner, the state government must explain what measures are in place to protect low-income groups from the expected rise in living costs. Sabah Umno information chief Datuk Suhaimi Nasir said the absence of clear strategies to assist vulnerable communities is worrying, especially as nearly 40pc of households in the state fall under the B40 category. 'Many depend on informal work or subsistence economies. The SST could erode their already limited purchasing power — particularly in rural areas,' said Suhaimi, who is also Libaran MP, in a statement on Friday (June 20). The tax rollout, set to begin on July 1, was introduced under Budget 2025 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Under the new framework, a 5pc–10pc sales tax will apply to selected non-essential goods, while the service tax is being extended to sectors such as rental and leasing, construction, finance, private healthcare, private education, and beauty services. Suhaimi noted that Sabah remains one of the states most affected by development imbalance and income inequality — making it all the more urgent for the government to provide strong buffers against the impact of new taxes. While he acknowledged the importance of SST in boosting national revenue, he said it must be balanced with fair and inclusive support policies to prevent it from becoming a burden to ordinary Sabahans. Advertisement He urged the state government to implement targeted subsidies, expand the scope of price controls on essential goods, and provide conditional cash assistance to help households cope. 'The revenue collected must be returned to the people through tangible improvements in rural infrastructure — such as roads, clinics, clean water, and internet coverage — especially in interior areas still left behind,' he said. 'Sabahans deserve transparency on how public funds are spent and how these measures directly benefit their daily lives. Trust is not built on slogans, but on action that prioritises those most in need.' * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia

Daily Express

19 hours ago

• Daily Express

Sabah tops Malaysia in Q1 manufacturing investment with RM7.3 billion

Published on: Friday, June 20, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 20, 2025 By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: Phoong receives a memento from SME Sabah president Deledda Than KOTA KINABALU: Sabah recorded RM7.3 billion in manufacturing investments in the first quarter of this year, making it Malaysia's top destination for the sector. Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe said local SMEs must not rely solely on foreign capital and should industrialise to remain competitive. Advertisement Phoong announced RM15 million in state funding to help SMEs automate, upgrade machinery, and expand while noting Sabah's exports rose 11 per cent up to May. He also highlighted Sabah's ongoing industrial push, including a 100MW Battery Energy Storage System in Lahad Datu and AirAsia's new KK–Taipei–Fukuoka route. Phoong cautioned against implementing overlapping federal policies and stressed that economic reforms must not burden SMEs as Sabah's unemployment rate improved to 6.7 per cent. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia