Tawau MSMEs are told to consider Indonesia
Published on: Fri, May 09, 2025
By: Amir Anuar Text Size: Andi Suryady (centre) officiates at the aid handover ceremony involving selected MSME entrepreneurs. TAWAU: Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Tawau and Kalabakan are encouraged to export not only to Peninsula Malaysia but also neighbouring Indonesia. This is especially relevant given the strategic location of both districts, which lie close to the border and Indonesia's new capital, Nusantara, in East Kalimantan. Assistant Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship, Datuk Andi Muhd Suryady Bandy, said various initiatives, platforms, assistance and incentives are available to support local MSMEs in capitalising on these opportunities. 'Nusantara has been gradually opened since August last year, and we must benefit from this development. That's why the State government is actively working to strengthen trade ties. 'This includes collaborating with the federal government to upgrade the Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security (CIQS) Complex in Serudong, Kalabakan.' Andi Suryady said this in a press conference held in conjunction with the 2025 Sabah MSME Entrepreneurs' Carnival for the Tawau Zone and the Hari Raya Aidilfitri Open House, which took place at the Tawau Municipal Council Square, here, recently. He is confident that regional connectivity – by land, sea and air – could boost trade relations between Malaysia and Indonesia. According to him, enhanced cooperation with the neighbouring country is essential, especially since top leaders from both nations have already established mutual understanding. 'There are many opportunities available. Some products can be exported to Indonesia, and we can also import goods from there. Most importantly, we need to establish strong business networks between the two countries. 'For example, this programme represents a broader initiative to position Tawau and Kalabakan as business hubs due to their proximity with the Indonesian border,' he said. Regarding the event, Andi Suryady said the carnival is part of the lead-up to the upcoming Madani Programme, which will be officiated by the Prime Minister on May 11. At the same time, he said the program offers MSMEs the chance to explore new markets, promote their products, and strengthen the local manufacturing industry. 'We hope this programme will further empower MSMEs. We also urge them to take full advantage of the government's support – such as grants, mentorship, and training. 'Our Ministry allocated RM15 million to support entrepreneurs in the manufacturing sector, including assistance with machinery, equipment, digitalization, and packaging. 'We've received positive feedback from entrepreneurs, and the public response has also been encouraging. However, the key lies in raising awareness around branding,' he said. Andy Suryady who is also the Kalabakan Member of Parliament said some MSME products have strong potential for the international market, but additional support is needed – especially in leveraging digital platforms. He said the carnival also featured business matchmaking between MSMEs and major supermarkets and attracted participation from 30 MSME entrepreneurs from Tawau, Kalabakan, and nearby areas, including Kudat. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
6 hours ago
- Barnama
Ringgit Rises Against Major Currencies, Eases Vs US Dollar
WORLD By Zufazlin Baharuddin KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- The ringgit appreciated against most major currencies but eased slightly against the greenback at the close on Wednesday amid cautious market sentiments ahead of the release of the US Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting minutes later tonight. At 6 pm, the local note dipped to 4.2250/2290 against the US dollar from yesterday's close of 4.2215/2255. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said that apart from the minutes, comments by senior US central bank officials will also come into focus after the release of the FOMC details. 'Markets are anxious about whether the US Federal Reserve (Fed) will deliver a 25 basis points interest rate cut in the upcoming FOMC meeting,' he told Bernama. Afzanizam said last week's US consumer price index and producer price index dynamics suggested that the Fed might continue to focus on inflation, but noted that the weak labour market warranted additional monetary stimulus. In addition, the market sentiment will stay guarded ahead of policy signals from the Fed's Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium later this week. At the close, the ringgit settled mostly higher against a basket of major currencies. It gained versus the euro to 4.9196/9242 from 4.9307/9354 yesterday and inched up against the British pound to 5.7033/7087 from 5.7066/7120, but dropped vis-à-vis the Japanese yen to 2.8648/8677 from 2.8572/8601. The ringgit also traded mostly higher against other ASEAN currencies. It gained versus the Singapore dollar to 3.2864/2898 from 3.2901/2935 at Tuesday's close, strengthened against the Thai baht to 12.9756/9935 from 12.9848/13.0027 and inched up vis-à-vis the Indonesian rupiah to 259.6/260.0 from 259.8/260.2. However, it slid against the Philippine peso to 7.41/7.42 from 7.39/7.40 yesterday.
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Ringgit rises against major currencies, eases vs US dollar
KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit appreciated against most major currencies but eased slightly against the greenback at the close on Wednesday amid cautious market sentiments ahead of the release of the US Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting minutes later tonight. At 6 pm, the local note dipped to 4.2250/2290 against the US dollar from yesterday's close of 4.2215/2255. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said that apart from the minutes, comments by senior US central bank officials will also come into focus after the release of the FOMC details. "Markets are anxious about whether the US Federal Reserve (Fed) will deliver a 25 basis points interest rate cut in the upcoming FOMC meeting,' he told Bernama. Afzanizam said last week's US consumer price index and producer price index dynamics suggested that the Fed might continue to focus on inflation, but noted that the weak labour market warranted additional monetary stimulus. In addition, the market sentiment will stay guarded ahead of policy signals from the Fed's Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium later this week. At the close, the ringgit settled mostly higher against a basket of major currencies. It gained versus the euro to 4.9196/9242 from 4.9307/9354 yesterday and inched up against the British pound to 5.7033/7087 from 5.7066/7120, but dropped vis-à-vis the Japanese yen to 2.8648/8677 from 2.8572/8601. The ringgit also traded mostly higher against other ASEAN currencies. It gained versus the Singapore dollar to 3.2864/2898 from 3.2901/2935 at Tuesday's close, strengthened against the Thai baht to 12.9756/9935 from 12.9848/13.0027 and inched up vis-à-vis the Indonesian rupiah to 259.6/260.0 from 259.8/260.2. However, it slid against the Philippine peso to 7.41/7.42 from 7.39/7.40 yesterday. - Bernama
The Sun
9 hours ago
- The Sun
German minister warns China's assertiveness threatens European interests
JAKARTA: China's assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea and tensions in the Taiwan Strait threaten international security and European interests, Germany's foreign minister said on Wednesday. 'What happens here in the Indo-Pacific has a direct impact on European security and vice versa,' Johann Wadephul said in a speech in Jakarta, using an alternative description for the Asia-Pacific region. 'China's growing military assertiveness in the South China Sea not only threatens Asia's security but also undermines the international rules-based order,' Wadephul said after talks with his Indonesian counterpart. 'With essential trade routes running right through this area, it also constitutes an economic risk.' He said the same applied to frictions in the Taiwan Strait, where China has deployed fighter jets, warships and coast guard ships near Taiwan and has held several major military exercises around the island in recent years. 'Any escalation would have serious consequences for global security and prosperity, and directly affect German and European interests, too,' he said. His comments are likely to cause more friction with Beijing after it lashed out at Berlin this week over his remarks in Japan, where he accused China of being 'increasingly aggressive' and trying to 'unilaterally change' regional borders. Wadephul said in a statement on Sunday before leaving for Asia that China was 'increasingly asserting its regional supremacy' and questioning principles of international law. He also said on Wednesday Russia's war in Ukraine had an impact on regional security in Asia because of Chinese and North Korean support for Moscow. 'Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is not only an attack on the European peace order, it also affects Indo-Pacific security,' he said. 'The Russian war machine runs in part on North Korean troops and ammunition, as well as China's decisive economic support.' China insists it is a neutral party in the conflict but many of Ukraine's allies believe that Beijing has provided support to Moscow. – AFP
