Barter Trade Between Sabah, Malaysia and The Island Provinces in Southern Mindanao to Resume Anew

Mindanao Development Authority chair Abul Kayr Alonto bared that trade with Sabah, Malaysia opens again in February 1, 2017.

Speaking at the Habi at Kape press forum, he said that as per announcement made by the chief minister of Sabah, Malaysia has lifted the ban of doing business with the Philippines Islands of Sulu and Tawi-tawi.

The Malaysian government introduced a trade ban between Sabah and the Philippines in March 2016 following a series of kidnapping of Malaysian sailors allegedly carried out by the Abu Sayyaf in the waters between Sabah in Malaysia and Tawi-tawi in the Philippines.

Alonto said the barter trade will be revived with the positive response by Malaysia lifting the economic embargo imposed on the island provinces. He said that looking back, the inhumanity of the kidnapping industry has affected greatly the economic activities of the people.

“Sabah is open once again to our Muslim-Filipino traders going to that part of Malaysia,” Alonto said.

He said the barter trade will operate in the Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-tawi area and will go eventually to the territories of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao through the Mindanao Economic Development corridor including General Santos City. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)