KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's manufacturing sector needs to contribute at least 35 per cent of the state's total gross domestic product (GDP) to further advance its economy, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam said.
For now, the contribution stood at 7.5 per cent of the total RM80 billion of the state's GDP, he said.
He believed Sabah could achieve the target by working closely with SIRIM, which possessed technical expertise and experience to guide local small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) to transform themselves into dynamic, innovative and technology-driven enterprises.
He said this when opening the "Bring Sirim Closer to Community and Industry Programme-cum-Sirim Industrial Engagement Day" at the Sabah International Convention Centre here.
"I have high hopes for Sirim to contribute to the economic development in Sabah and cooperate with the state government's agencies to help boost the growth of the state's manufacturing sector.
"Sirim has contributed immensely towards the development of micro, small and medium enterprises in Sabah.
"The existence of Sirim as one of the earliest agencies in the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) has been a catalyst for other federal government agencies to establish facilities in KKIP.
"Sirim's presence in Sabah is very relevant and complements the quality and standard requirements of the local industry," he said.
Joachim, who is also state industrial development minister, said Sabah could no longer employ the same decade-old method in developing its economy.
"We need to be aware of the importance of talent, technology, innovation, automation, quality control and most importantly, we need to coordinate our initiatives and programmes to support local businesses.
"Only with that, we can position ourselves to provide more jobs and achieve wealth for the people of Sabah," he said.
Sirim chairman Tan Sri Ahmad Tajuddin Ali said Sirim had opened a new calibration hub at its Sabah office through its subsidiary, Sirim Standards Technology Sdn Bhd, to help stimulate the state's economy.
"This new calibration hub offers electrical, temperature, pressure, mass and dimensional calibration services in line with Sirim Group's commitment to continue to improve services and be more accessible to customers, especially in Sabah.
"Through entrepreneur development activities, Sirim has successfully assisted more than 1,000 entrepreneurs throughout Sabah in various services such as testing, training, consulting, development and standard compliance, product development, automation and process improvement."
At the same event, Sirim signed a memorandum of understanding with the Sabah Land Development Board (SLDB) in the field of research through technical services and product or system development to address food security issues.
It aims to cooperate in sustaining entrepreneurs or participants guided by SLDB through training, guidance, technology audits and entrepreneur development, as well as improving products, processes and applications towards Quality 4.0 and Industry 4.0.
The MoU was signed by Sirim Group president and chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Sabirin Arshad and SLDB general manager Shaheddrul R. Joddari.
Source: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2022/08/822568/sabah-needs-35pc-revenue-come-manufacturing-sector-boost-state-economy