Antonio (fourth from left) presents a book on Miri as a memento to Sim, witnessed by (from left) Miri Deputy Resident Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusuf, Dennis, Ting and Yii.

MIRI: The Singapore government is keen on tapping into the tourism and business potential here for a win-win situation.

According to Senior Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Sim Ann, the island republic looks forward to inking collaborations on tourism and business with this city.

“Potential for collaborations is very exciting, as Miri is indeed a unique destination that is strategically located. Apart from having the important source for the oil and gas industry, the city also has special tourism attractions in places abundant with nature’s beauty.

“I think it is an unusual combination, and it is fortunate for the city to have such abundance in resources,” she told reporters after having been briefed on ‘Miri Tourism Taskforce on Miri Division Tourism Development’ at the Resident’s Office here yesterday.

Sim, who is also Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry, described such abundance of resources as ‘complementing’ Singapore, which has limited resources.

“My official working visit here is certainly a good start. I hope in the future, I would able to bring about greater awareness on this potential collaboration to Singapore companies and counterparts.”

On the change of her cabinet portfolio from Singapore’s Finance Ministry to the Trade and Industry Ministry, Sim said she look forward to being able to participate in future collaborations between the business communities here and Singapore.

Sim’s two-day working visit here continues today with a scheduled dialogue with Miri Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Singapore entourage includes deputy high commissioner of Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, Mark Neo and its first secretary James Chia, International Enterprise Singapore (Southeast Asia) group director Ivan Tan and International Enterprise Singapore (Kuala Lumpur) centre director Kate Lim.

The hosting group comprises Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau, Miri Resident Antonio Kahti Galis, Miri Mayor Adam Yii and representatives from various ministries and departments.