Sabah's bioeconomy sector shows promising growth with rising local participation
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Khairul (second left) and Firdausi (second right) officiating the symbolic launch of the Bioeconomy Tour 2025: Sabah Edition.
KOTA KINABALU (Aug 20): The bioeconomy sector in Sabah is showing encouraging signs of growth, driven by stronger participation from local biotechnology firms and a commitment to producing high-quality, marketable products.
Chief Executive Officer of Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation (Bioeconomy Corporation), Mohd Khairul Fidzal Abdul Razak, said the level of commitment demonstrated by Sabah-based companies during the Bioeconomy Roadshow 2025: Sabah Edition was notably higher compared to the previous year.
'We are seeing a more focused direction this time around, with many of the participating companies investing efforts in developing premium products. Not only are these products gaining traction in the domestic market, but they are also penetrating international markets,' he said.
Speaking to reporters after officiating the roadshow, Khairul noted that the programme also served to raise awareness on the support services offered by Bioeconomy Corporation and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI).
'We are working closely with these companies to understand their challenges and provide the necessary assistance to accelerate their growth. This is not just about product development, it is about building a sustainable and innovation-driven ecosystem for the future,' he added.
The event was organised in collaboration with Invest Sabah Berhad as a strategic partner, with the aim of strengthening Sabah's bioeconomy ecosystem and unlocking broader economic and sustainable development opportunities.
Khairul said the corporation is committed to empowering local companies in line with the national target for the bioeconomy sector to contribute five per cent to Malaysia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He added that beyond increasing income for the involved companies, the roadshow also focuses on building stronger partnerships and enhancing industry capabilities.
As a result of last year's Sabah edition, a total of 249 participants underwent training under the BeST 2.0 programme, including 29 Sabahan youth, with a 97 per cent job placement rate. Moreover, 12 local companies in Sabah successfully became host companies or industrial training partners.
'This year, we are targeting at least six strategic locations with more than 200 participants and the launch of 60 new products or innovations,' he shared.
To reinforce these efforts, Bioeconomy Corporation has also implemented the BioSynergy programme in partnership with POIC Lahad Datu. The initiative connects industry players and stakeholders with bio-innovation solutions developed by BioNexus and Bio-based Accelerator (BBA) status companies.
Khairul said these companies play a vital role in advancing technology, creating high-value products, and opening up skilled job opportunities in Malaysia.
'To date, more than 630 BioNexus and BBA companies have recorded approved investments amounting to RM8.7 billion as of the second quarter of 2025. Continued support for these companies will significantly impact the country's Science, Technology and Innovation (STI)-based economic development,' he said.
Meanwhile, CEO of Invest Sabah, Dr Firdausi Suffian, highlighted Sabah's rich biodiversity as a key driver for the state's bioeconomy aspirations.
'Sabah has the potential to position itself as a regional hub for bio-based industries. This roadshow provides a strategic platform to support the growth of biotechnology and bio-based sectors while creating new economic opportunities for our people,' he said.
Firdausi noted that Sabah's natural resources, including microalgae, can be processed into biofuel, cosmetics and health supplements, while seaweed can be developed into pharmaceuticals, bioplastics and animal feed nutrition.
'Palm oil waste, on the other hand, can be transformed into bioenergy and green chemicals. We encourage universities and local research institutions to play a bigger role in R&D and the commercialisation of products while also producing skilled talent,' he said.
'With Bioeconomy Corporation and industry drivers on board, Sabah has a real opportunity to lead the bioeconomy frontier in the region,' he added.
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