KOTA MARUDU, June 21 (Bernama) -- Marudu needs a comprehensive and concrete development plan to ensure it can compete with other districts, said Kota Marudu MP Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili.

In his opening speech at the full council meeting of the Kota Marudu District Council, here today, Ongkili called on the council to plan and position Kota Marudu as an attractive place for business by boosting economic activities and developing infrastructure.

"We need to look at new sources of growth based on existing strengths and opportunities. We need to identify and map out commercial activities to promote the local economy, and one way to do this is to capitalise on our tourism sector," he said.

Ongkili, who is also federal Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, pointed out that the lack of facilities such as hotels and meeting venues could make businesses bypass Kota Marudu, thus hindering economic progress in the district.

He also suggested a retreat be held for the councillors and heads of departments and agencies to discuss specific development programmes for Kota Marudu.

The retreat would be to ensure the proposed measures could be incorporated into detailed programmes for Kota Marudu under the Tenth Malaysia Plan, before the tabling of the 2011 Budget in parliament, he said.