KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is keen to make extensive use of drones as the state ramps up efforts to boost its economy, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
The Chief Minister said the state government wants to step up the use of drone technology, already in use in several economic sectors including agriculture, tourism, construction, logistics and security.
"It has also helped in resolving worker shortage issues in the agriculture sector,” he said at the Sabah Drone Open Day here on Tuesday (Oct 29).
"Therefore, I call for greater cooperation between the government, industry, researchers and community to adopt drone technology to spur Sabah's economy," he added.
State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe delivered the Chief Minister's speech.
Hajiji said he has directed the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (Sedia), which he chairs, to keep promoting drone technology to enhance productivity and monitor development projects.
"This is because drone technology has assisted Sedia in expediting land planning and environmental monitoring processes in line with the state's development objectives.
"Furthermore, Sedia has a vital role in strengthening Sabah's economy through the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) 2.0 Action Plan,” he said.
Through this initiative, he added, Sedia supports investments in the agriculture, infrastructure and green technology sectors in line with Sabah's vision of achieving sustainable development and global competitiveness.
“Sabah should not lag in the use of drone technology,” Hajiji said, adding that technological progress is also among the main priorities in the state's investor-friendly policy.
