Following the Friendship City relationship between the City of Kota Kinabalu (KK) and the City of Rockingham in December 2006, a formal linkage is now established between DBKKH and the South West Corridor Development Foundation Inc (SWCDeF) to create a ‘Sabah Western Australia Trade Centre’ (SWATC).  SWCDeF is a registered body linked to the six member local councils in the south west of Perth, Western Australia.

The friendship city relationship was initiated because of the similarities between Rockingham and KK. Rockingham serves as the city for the Australian Submarine Squadron and Kota Kinabalu is the city that will support the submarine facility in Sepanggar Bay. For more than 30 years, Rockingham has managed the fine balance between the clustering of defence related industries while protecting its beautiful expanses of safe beaches and environmental parks. 

The defence and resources related industries offering specialized services and expertise from Western Australia will complement the industries in Kota Kinabalu. The Government of Western Australia through the Western Australian Trade Office Kuala Lumpur and the City of Rockingham supports the SWCDeF to establish SWATC and its hosting by DBKKH with the support of the Mayor of Kota Kinabalu.

The SWATC will employ a Trade Facilitator to identify and develop trade opportunities between the two regions for services and products that are sought in each other’s markets resulting in commercial relationships and economic benefit.

Formal agreement to proceed with the Sabah WA Trade Centre was reached between South West Corridor Development Foundation Inc and DBKK Holdings Sdn Bhd on November 4, 2008 in Kota Kinabalu.

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