Villagers  in Kota Nunukan in East Kalimantan, Indonesia preferred to shop in Tawau because of the variety of goods available.

Some goods are cheaper in Nunukan, but in Tawau there are many choices

Indonesian come to Tawau because it is the nearest town to Nunukan.

The people in Tawau are friendly and welcome Indonesian shoppers.

HUndreds of  Indonesians from Nunukan and its surrounding areas frequent Tawau every day to shop.

Checks at a jetty here found at least 12 passenger boats, each with a capacity of 100 passengers, plying between Tawau and Nunukan daily.

Besides Nukukan, residents in 10 over villages in Pulau Sebatik across the sea of Tawau also frequent Tawau to shop while those from Kampung Sungai Nyamuk, Sungai Pancang and Sungai Bajau go to Tawau to market their agricultural produce.