European wellness company looks to set base in Sabah to capture the Asean market

KOTA KINABALU: A European-based wellness centre is eyeing Sabah as a hub for its wellness and biopharmaceutical expansion into the Asean market.

European Wellness Biomedical Group chairman Prof Datuk Seri Dr Mike Chan said the group plans to build a biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility at the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP).

The company also plans to set up the European Wellness Centre Asia Pacific hub at Alam Mesra here with a total investment of about USD80mil (RM379mil), according to a statement released by the Chief Minister's Department Monday (Jan 29).

According to the statement, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor met with Dr Chan and his wife, Prof Datuk Seri Dr Michelle Wong, both from Malaysia, to brief him on their company's expansion plans to the state.

Hajiji said that the state government welcomes such investments that could turn Sabah into a medical tourism hub for the East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

Dr Chan briefed Hajiji on the company's plan to eventually turn Sabah into a world-class medical wellness tourism hub.

Since 2016, the company has established an academy and showcase centre in Kota Kinabalu. Its website also lists a wellness retreat at The Mines, Kuala Lumpur.