A 35-ACRE Free Trade Zone along the lines of that at Stulang, in Johor Baru, currently the largest duty-free complex in Malaysia which includes hotels, restaurants, entertainment outlets and a shopping complex has been planned for Tanjung Batu in Tawau.
State Customs Director, Dr Janatan Kandok said the move is at the planning stage and had been agreed to, in principle, by the relevant authorities to attract tourists and enhance economic activities in the locality.
A Free Trade Zone is a facility to stimulate business and economic activities in a certain area that has been approved for the people, including tourists, to enjoy products and services free from taxes.
"An area in Tanjung Batu, near Pasir Putih, and next to a factory in Log Pond has been identified," he said, after opening the 30th World Customs Day themed "Borders divide, Customs connects" at Wisma Kastam, here, Wednesday.
He said a local-based company had applied to obtain such facility from the concerned authorities to boost socio-economic activities in Tanjung Batu, Tawau.
Dr Janatan said Tanjung Batu was proposed as it is strategic, near to the sea and not far from the Tawau municipality, about 20km.
"Tourists and locals that patronise Tanjung Batu will enjoy products and services without paying any taxes.
"They can consume as much as they can, but if they bring out the products from the identified area, Customs personnel will impose taxes accordingly," he said. Tanjung Batu has hotels, restaurants, retail outlets and sundry shops.
Once the move materialised, Dr Janatan said the prices of products and services would be cheaper as no taxes would be imposed.
He also presented books entitled Strategic Measures Action Plan 2012 issued by Sabah Customs Department to all its department heads here and at district level in Sabah at the event.
This Free Trade Zone sound like a good business opportunity as well as a tourist attraction. It would be something similar to Labuan, right?
ReplyDeleteHope that the Sabah Custom Department will follow the strategic measure action plan accordingly for smooth operation.
ReplyDeleteSince it will be similar to Labuan (free-duty), smuggling problem might happen.
DeleteFree trade Zone tersebut akan dpt menarik lebih ramai pengunjung.
ReplyDeletekawasan perdagangan bebas ini sudah pasti akan menjana pertumbuhan ekonomi di Sabah. taraf hidup penduduk juga pasti akan bertambah baik.
ReplyDeletepenghapusan cukai akan menggalakkan lagi syarikat2 untuk bersaing dan mempertingkatkan inovasi.
ReplyDeletelagi bagus jika daerah Tawau dibersihkan dari masalah pendatang haram terlebih dahulu supaya hanya rakyat tempatan sahaja yang benar2 menikmati FTZ ini..
ReplyDeleteMemang bagus sekiranya Tawau dibersihkan daripada PATI yang semakin ramai. Mesti PATI saja yang lebih menikmati FTZ tu.
DeleteNgam tu. Silap-silap bila projek ini siap, masalah timbul disebabkan oleh PATI pula.
Deletepasti zone2 tu menawarkan harga yang murah. Plan tu sangat2 menarik dan mengutamakan rakyat
ReplyDelete