KOTA KINABALU: A proposal to make Kota Kinabalu and Acapulco sister cities has been suggested by Mexico’s ambassador to Malaysia Edmundo Font.
In making the proposal to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Font said both Kota Kinabalu and Acapulco had similar landscapes that were worth exploring to become twin cities.
Acapulco is a seaport city located at the Pacific coast of Mexico, and is one of the oldest coastal tourist destinations.
Font, who was making his first visit to a state in Malaysia since appointed as his country’s envoy last November, said he was also looking at Sabah’s business and trade potential with Mexico.
Hajiji, who met Font at his office here yesterday, said Sabah welcomed investors, including from Mexico, to set up businesses in the state.
Mexico is currently Malaysia’s second largest Latin American trading partner after Brazil, with a total trade of RM5.95bil in 2021.
Malaysia’s total exports of mainly palm oil and palm oil-based products as well as natural rubber to Mexico in 2021 was RM5.03bil.
Total imports in the same period were RM920mil, comprising electrical and electronic products, metalliferous ores, and scrap metal.
Font said that Mexicans were working in Sabah, and this included Mexican scientist, Dr Milena Salgado Lynn, who does field studies at the Danau Girang Field Centre and the Wildlife Health, Genetic and Forensic Laboratory under the Sabah Wildlife Department.