KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has secured RM17.41bil in approved foreign and domestic investments in the manufacturing sector since September 2020, with 73 companies driving this growth.
Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Ministry (MIDE) permanent secretary Datuk Thomas Logijin said 52 of these companies have already established operations in the state, investing a total of RM7.8bil and creating 3,636 jobs.
He said this during Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor’s working visit to MIDE on Monday (Feb 24) which marked the conclusion of his tour across all state ministries to assess ongoing programmes and future plans.
“From 2022 to 2024, Sabah received additional investment proposals worth RM42.3bil, projected to generate 32,996 jobs , including from Esteel Enterprise Sabah Sdn Bhd (RM19.6 billion), which are currently being finalised.
“Esteel had already received its Federal Manufacturing License (FML) on January 24 this year for its Phase One project costing RM5.77 billion at the Sipitang Oil and Gas Park (SOGIP),” he said.
Other major investments include Curix Sdn Bhd and Kibing Group’s third production line at Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park, Tex Evolusi Waste Management Sdn Bhd and E Concern (Borneo) Sdn Bhd.
MIDE is also coordinating new investment proposals from Kibing Group in Kimanis, TS Asia Green Infrastructure Sdn Bhd at POIC Lahad Datu and PMB Technology/Press Metal in Sipitang.
“Overall, Sabah stands to gain RM58.319bil worth of investments,” he said.
To further drive economic growth, MIDE will host four micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) carnivals this year in Tawau, Tuaran, Kudat and Keningau.
Logijin said 8,031 SME entrepreneurs are currently registered with MIDE’s Department of Industrial Development and Research.
To support local businesses, the ministry has rolled out various initiatives, including the SME-Up programme, entrepreneur development courses and the Buy Sabah Products campaign, which promotes local SME products in supermarkets such as Bataras, Kedai Mesra Petronas and SME Product Centres.
In addition, 87 Sabah entrepreneurs have been identified to participate in international trade and business expositions to expand their market reach.
Commending MIDE’s efforts, Hajiji stressed the importance of ensuring that economic growth benefits both major corporations and SMEs.
“The ministry plays a crucial role in generating income for the state. Based on today’s briefing, they are working hard in line with the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya agenda,” he said.
Hajiji also instructed MIDE to proceed with plans for three new industrial parks in Kudat, Beaufort and Kota Belud.
“Sabah’s economic status will improve once these industrial parks are operational,” he added.
During the visit, Hajiji received briefings from key agencies under MIDE, including the Sabah Economic Development Corporation, KKIP Sdn Bhd, Palm Oil Industrial Cluster Lahad Datu, Sabah Oil and Gas Development Corporation, Invest Sabah Berhad and the Sabah Trade and Tourism Office Singapore.
Also present were Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, Rural Development Minister Datuk Jahid Jahim, assistant ministers and senior officials.
