Michael Lui (sixth right) and Chu Yip Ming (sixth left) with other guests of honor at the opening ceremony of Kuo Man’s third branch yesterday.
KOTA KINABALU: The Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) urged all the business sectors and industries to seize the economic opportunities from Malaysia’s thriving tourism sector.
Its president, Datuk Michael Lui Yen Sang, said the tourism industry in the country had been booming in recent years, especially with the surge of foreign tourist arrivals from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
He also said that Malaysia can expect an increase of tourist arrivals next year, as it is Visit Malaysia Year.
“As such, we must grab this business opportunity brought about by the booming tourism sector,” the prominent businessman said during the opening of Kuo Man Restaurant’s third branch at Warisan Square here yesterday.
Michael urged the state government to include local and traditional food and beverage outlets in Sabah’s official tourism booklet, citing Kuo Man Restaurant as an example.
“Kuo Man is able to use its standing as a local and traditional food and beverage operator to promote local cuisines and in turn, this adds to the tourism selling point,” he said.
Kuo Man Restaurant started as a small family-oriented business 40 years ago. Famous for its fish paste noodles, it has branches in Sunny Garden, Suria Sabah Mall and in Singapore.
Present at the opening ceremony were founder of Kuo Man Restaurant, Chu Yip Ming; former deputy chief minister, Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai; Kota Kinabalu City Council Head of Public Health Division, Health and Urban Services Department, Danny Kok; Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) vice-president Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen; KTS Group Sabah Area General Operations Manager Ngu Ngiong Heng; and Kota Kinabalu Hokkien Association president Datuk Clement Yeh.