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Image credit: Borneo Today

KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam said Sabah has great potential as an investment and business destination and urged prospective investors to take advantage of this.

Speaking at a networking dinner organised by Small and Medium Enterprise Association of Sabah (SME Sabah) yesterday, he urged trade associations here to work with delegates from Peninsular Malaysia to tap these potentials.

The delegates will also attend briefings on investment opportunities by the various agencies under the Industrial Development Ministry (MID) at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here.

A similar briefing has also been arranged with the Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry

The event is in line with the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 1.0 (2021 – 2025) development plan which focuses on three primary economic sectors namely agriculture, industrial and tourism.

SMJ also focuses on human capital and wellbeing of the people as well as green infrastructure and sustainability networks.

Dr Joachim said Sabah is known as an unpolished gem as the state is blessed with world-class beautiful scenic tourism spots and very popular with Chinese and Korean tourists.

"But the potential downstream opportunities utilising Sabah's abundance of natural resources such as timber, oil and gas, seafood and agricultural produce have yet to be known widely.

"So be the early birds to grab the opportunities after you have listened to the briefings organised by MID and Invest Sabah Bhd (ISB).

"Make your assessments and decisions quickly to get the best deal with the best pricing and resources for your production and local partners for your joint ventures," he said.

Dr Joachim said SME Sabah has contributed its efforts in developing the state economy and creating jobs and business opportunities for the locals.

Also present were Sabah Economic Advisory Council (SEAC) chairman and council member Tan Sri David Chu and Datuk John Lo Thau Fah; POIC chairman Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee; Chief Minister's political secretary Datuk Dr Roland Chai; Industrial Development Minister permanent secretary Thomas Logijin and deputy, Benedick Bisoni and SME Sabah founder cum president Foo Ngee Kee.

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2022/06/802966/smes-encouraged-use-sabahs-natural-resources-downstream-sectors