Sabah trade expo should focus on domestic as well as foreign investment, says Masidi

Lee (fifth from left) presenting a memento to Masidi Manjun during the courtesy call on March 28.

KOTA KINABALU: The upcoming Sabah International Expo (SIE) 2023 should also aim to attract domestic direct investment (DDI) in addition to foreign direct investment (FDI), says Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.

The state Finance Minister said he encouraged the organisers to pull out all the stops this year as it is the 60th anniversary of Sabah's independence as well as the formation of Malaysia.

"SIE2023 is a great avenue for foreigners and Malaysians alike to learn more about what Sabah has done and what we have to offer," he said after receiving a courtesy call from the event organising committee at his office here on Tuesday (March 28).

The visitors were led by co-organising chairman Datuk Lee Swi Heng.

To be held from Sept 22-24 at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here, the event will be preceded by the Sabah International Business Luncheon Talk 2023 on Sept 21.

“It is also my hope that SIE2023 will put more focus on DDI and not just FDI to continue to build Sabah’s economy, and ultimately raise the state’s GDP and revenue,” Masidi added.

Lee. who is also Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Micci) Sabah chairman, briefed the minister on the scheduled events and invited him to chair the luncheon talk.

Speakers lined up include former foreign minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman and banker Tan Sri Andrew Sheng.

According to the SIE2023 website, the state government-sanctioned biennial event has become one of the largest and most successful trade events in the BIMP-EAGA region.

Now in its 10th edition, the expo aims to provide a platform for exhibitors to meet and establish business contacts, as well as showcase their products and services while attracting commercial and economic interest to Sabah.

Nearly 60 countries have participated as exhibitors and as conference delegates in previous expos and luncheon talks.

This year, the organising committee aims to have 300 booths comprising representatives from more than 10 countries.