Sabah tourism industry in created over 380,000 jobs
KOTA KINABALU: Tourism industry in Sabah has created more than 380,000 jobs said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said the industry accounted for about 15 per cent of the state's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and contributing RM13.1 billion to the state's economy.
"We have witnessed firsthand how tourism uplifts communities and we take pride in our progress in community-based tourism here in Sabah," he said at the launching of the Asean Travel Exchange (ATEX 2025) at a hotel here.
Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Christina Liew delivered his speech.
He said Sabah is home to many community-based tourism operators, and these initiatives were spearheaded by individuals and families from local villages, particularly rural communities, who create experiences that were distinctly Sabahan.
"As we speak, community-based tourism continues to expand in Sabah due to its immense potential to grow the economy, especially in the rural areas of Sabah.
"In 2024, the total state revenue contribution from this sector amounted to RM7 million from 18 active districts.
"More community-based initiatives in the rural districts are being introduced to benefit the rural communities," he said.
Hajiji added that the state government is investing in infrastructure with ongoing upgrades to the Kota Kinabalu International Airport, improved road conditions giving access to rural tourism areas and enhanced digital platforms designed to promote and manage visitor experiences effectively.
"We are laying the foundation for a resilient and future-ready tourism economy.
"Sabah's strategy includes embracing green economy principles, advocating for digital transformation, and enhancing our profile as a premier venue and host for international tourism events," he said.
Meanwhile, he said that ATEX 2025 serves as a reminder of just how powerful the combination of tourism, travel, hospitality, and aviation can be.
Nation Mar 17, 2025 @ 5:51am
Sabah Tourism Ministry to meet AirAsia over flight terminations
Nation Dec 31, 2024 @ 10:20pm
Innovate, capitalise on travel trends, Sabah tourism players told
Economy May 26, 2025 @ 3:19am
Sabah's tourism sector surges ahead
Nation May 10, 2025 @ 11:20pm
Sabah sees tourism surge, earns RM2.13 billion from Jan to March this year
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
9 hours ago
- The Sun
Malaysia's Wide Agro Ventures, Japan's Orec to invest in Perak production facility, distribution centre
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia-based Wide Agro Ventures Sdn Bhd has sealed a strategic partnership with Orec Co Ltd, a company headquartered in Fukuoka, Japan, to establish a production facility and distribution centre at Seri Iskandar Industrial Park, Perak, with an initial investment of RM30 million. The strategic initiative will significantly expand Malaysia's agricultural production capacity and enhance the sector's productivity, particularly in the palm oil industry, in the coming years. Orec will provide cutting-edge technology to Wide Agro Ventures for the production and distribution of agricultural machinery and equipment in Malaysia and the regional market, strengthening their position as key players in the global machinery and equipment industry. The joint initiative was unveiled through the signing of a memorandum of understanding at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, in the presence of senior government officials from both countries. It was witnessed by Datuk Salbiah Mohamed, Perak State Executive Chairman for Women, Family, Social Welfare and Entrepreneur Development (representing Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad), Rural and Regional Development Ministry senior division secretary (management services) Datuk Dr Roslan Mahmood, InvestPerak Malaysia CEO Mohamad Hashim Abdul Ghani Mida Osaka director Gulam Muszairi Gulam Mustakim. Saarani, in his message, said Perak is a land of grace with extensive agricultural activity, consisting of palm oil, rubber and paddy. 'Perak's agricultural sector is a significant part of the state's economy, contributing 14.2% to GDP. It plays a vital role in food security and exports, with palm oil being a major export. By producing sophisticated machinery and equipment, it will leapfrog the contribution of this sector by enhancing efficiency and productivity nationwide.' Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) CEO Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid underscored the broader implications of the partnership. 'This strategic partnership marks a timely and impactful investment that will strengthen Malaysia's capabilities in agricultural machinery manufacturing. The Seri Iskandar facility is poised to become a cornerstone in the sector, acting as a catalyst for greater industrial capacity, technology transfer, and export competitiveness. 'By complementing Japanese engineering excellence with Malaysian expertise, we are building a resilient and forward-looking value chain. This will enhance productivity in the palm oil sector and beyond, while opening doors for local talents, businesses and the wider community to thrive. 'Seri Iskandar offers a strategic platform aligned with our national agenda to advance mechanisation and digitalisation in agriculture, and to position Malaysia as a regional hub for high-value machinery manufacturing,' he said. Wide Agro Ventures CEO Ahmad Fadzil Mustafa said the investment marks a significant milestone in the company's journey in Malaysia. 'By expanding our manufacturing capabilities in Perak, we are not only reinforcing our commitment to local industrial development but also advancing our mission to deliver light and sustainable agriculture solutions across the region. We believe in transforming the agriculture sector with better technology, responsibly, sustainably, innovatively, and collaboratively with our partner from Japan.'
The Sun
9 hours ago
- The Sun
MSMEs remain confident in first-half 2025 but outlook moderating: SME Bank survey
KUALA LUMPUR: Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Bhd's (SME Bank) sentiment index for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises for the first half of 2025 has signalled continued confidence despite a moderating outlook. In a statement today, SME Bank said its SME Sentiment Index registered a solid 55.2, reflecting continued optimism among entrepreneurs nationwide while anticipating economic and financial challenges arising from the United States' tariffs. 'This marks a slight moderation from 55.8 in the previous half. The index remains well above the neutral 50 level, indicating steady confidence despite a softening from the strong post-Covid rebound seen in earlier surveys,' it said. The SME Sentiment Index survey, conducted between January and April, hit a new record high of 2,007 respondents to include participants from 39 sectors across all business sizes. Acting group president and CEO Datuk Mohammad Hardee Ibrahim said entrepreneurs showed more cautious optimism, citing softer expectations around sales, expansion and hiring. 'Although short-term sentiment has softened, Malaysia remains on a steady growth path supported by structural reforms, high-quality investments and a focus on resilience and shared prosperity,' he said. Meanwhile, SME Bank chief economist Lynette Lee Li Qing said the SME Sentiment Index serves as a timely barometer of entrepreneurial sentiment. It suggests that Malaysia's overall economy will continue to expand in 2025, albeit at a modest pace. 'World Bank has recently revised Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast down to 3.9 per cent, alongside a cut in global growth due to heightened uncertainties arising from trade tension. 'Nonetheless, Malaysia's growth rate is still above some regional peers such as Thailand (3.1 per cent) and Singapore (3.9 per cent),' she said. – Bernama
New Straits Times
9 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Theta Edge, Agmo to set up JV in AI sphere
KUALA LUMPUR: Theta Edge Bhd's unit Theta Technologies Sdn Bhd will set up a new company with Agmo Holdings Bhd's unit Agmo Capital Sdn Bhd to drive artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled platform growth. The new company aims to speed up the commercialisation of technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and digital platforms, starting with solutions for the public sector. It will also act as the delivery arm for Theta's AI platform, ThetaNeuron, enabling faster rollout of AI-powered tools in areas such as digital health, halal traceability and smart analytics. Agmo will contribute its proven digital tools, including generative AI chatbots, e-invoicing platforms, localised language models, telehealth systems, and blockchain verification tools, designed for both large companies and startups. Theta Edge group managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Nuraslina Zainal Abidin said by combining Agmo's strengths in agile platform development with Theta's domain expertise, the joint venture is well-positioned to deliver meaningful impact across financial services, healthcare, halal trade, smart logistics and the public sector. Agmo chief executive officer Tan Aik Keong said the collaboration extends its ready-to-deploy technologies into regulated environments focused on service efficiency and accessibility. "Through this joint venture, we aim to develop future-ready and data-secure systems that reflect the real needs of clients in sectors undergoing rapid digital transformation," he noted.
