SANDAKAN: Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor announces local products generated RM95.9mil in potential sales at 18 international expos in 2025 during a Sandakan festival launch on Saturday (July 25).
Deputy Chief Minister III Ewon Benedick delivered Hajiji's speech at the JOM MALAYSIA Festival 2026 launch. The sales figure represents a 37.12% increase from RM60.4mil recorded the previous year. A total of 124 Sabah entrepreneurs participated in the 2025 international expos.
“This shows that Sabah products have the quality, uniqueness and competitiveness to break into the global market,” he said.
The state supports local businesses through the RM15mil SME-UP programme for 600 enterprises. Additionally, the Sabah Ready-to-Eat programme provides development grants, retort machines, and halal certification support. These initiatives align with the Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 development plan.
Sabah recorded a gross domestic product of RM88.8bil with 5.1% economic growth last year. The state population was estimated at 3.8 million people. Tourism generated RM8.74bil from 3.79 million visitor arrivals during the same period.
Hajiji proposed expanding JOM MALAYSIA events across strategic locations for Visit Sabah Year 2027. He stated tourism helps introduce local food, handicrafts, and products to wider domestic and international audiences.
