Latest news with #StateIndustrialDevelopmentandEntrepreneurship
Daily Express
28-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Can't bet only on agriculture, tourism
Published on: Monday, April 28, 2025 Published on: Mon, Apr 28, 2025 By: Crystal E Hermenegildus Text Size: Phoong visits one of the booths and receives a souvenir from the owner at SIFEX 2025. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah must urgently transition from a consumption-driven economy to a producing and manufacturing powerhouse, said State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe. He said Sabah can no longer rely heavily on agriculture and tourism alone to grow and secure its future in an increasingly uncertain global landscape. 'We must produce what we consume and export what we produce. We can no longer depend entirely on importing raw materials or finished products. Sabah must urgently become a manufacturing and producing state,' Phoong said. He told reporters during the Sabah International Food Expo 2025 at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Saturday. The call comes amid rising global uncertainties, including tariff wars, export controls, and supply chain disruptions, which Phoong warned could threaten Sabah's economic stability if not addressed. Despite the challenges, Sabah's manufacturing sector has already shown positive signs. Phoong said Sabah recorded the highest manufacturing GDP growth in Malaysia in 2023 at 4.4 per cent, driven by major investments such as Kibing's RM3 billion solar glass manufacturing plant and SK Nexilis's RM5 billion copper foil project. However, Phoong said this success must not breed complacency. He outlined the state's strategic push to upscale Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), encourage exports, and improve food security through new initiatives. 'We are not just giving machinery grants anymore. We are tying assistance to performance and outcomes. Recipients must show they can scale their businesses and reach international markets,' he said, citing the SME Up programme, which provides branding support, packaging improvement, and capacity-building training. Phoong also said Sabah's efforts to strengthen its food industry as an export sector, noting that food products, beyond traditional commodities like palm oil, are beginning to play a bigger role in Sabah's export portfolio. 'Trade wars teach us that food security is national security. Sabah has the natural resources to feed not just itself but the region – but only if we industrialise and build a full value chain,' he said. Phoong said the ministry is working closely with agencies like the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), Exim Bank, and private associations such as the SME Association to prepare local entrepreneurs for regional and global markets. He said future-proofing industries would also involve equipping businesses with AI tools and digital marketing capabilities. 'It is no longer about competing locally. Sabah's entrepreneurs must be digital, must export, and must be able to brand and market themselves internationally,' he said. Phoong acknowledged that global competition and supply chain volatility are here to stay, particularly with developments like U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods, which indirectly impact Southeast Asian markets. 'We have no choice but to be proactive. We must build our industries to withstand these shocks. Sabah cannot afford to wait anymore,' he said. * 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
Daily Express
25-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Jobs and business opportunities for locals: Phoong
Published on: Saturday, April 26, 2025 Published on: Sat, Apr 26, 2025 Text Size: Phoong said if the third production line is successfully realised, the total investment value will exceed RM3 billion Kota Kinabalu: Foreign investment in Sabah not only opens job opportunities for locals but also creates business opportunities for local suppliers in the State, said State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe. He said the investment by SBH Kibing Solar New Materials (M) Sdn Bhd not only promises an increase in job opportunities but also activates the involvement of over 600 locals, who now serve as suppliers and contractors or subcontractors at the factory. 'This is clear evidence of how foreign investment can have a direct impact on the people of the State, not only through employment but also through a broader economic chain,' he said. He said the great success was achieved in just two years since the factory began operations. Phoong said if the third production line is successfully realised, the total investment value will exceed RM3 billion. 'This is not just a number, but an opportunity and a bright future for the people of Sabah.' Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali described the success of foreign investments like Kibing as concrete proof of Sabah's ability to develop inclusively, not only economically but also in promoting the welfare of the people. 'When we talk about the cost of living, we cannot just look at the prices of goods alone. What is important is income generation and the creation of job opportunities,' he said, adding that every job opportunity created contributes to the household income of the people of Sabah. * 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
Daily Express
25-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Folur Programme places Sabah on the global map
Published on: Friday, April 25, 2025 Published on: Fri, Apr 25, 2025 Text Size: Hajiji speech was delivered by State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe. Kota Kinabalu: The implementation of the Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration (Folur) Programme in Sabah has placed the State on the global map, alongside 27 other countries, under the international Folur initiative. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said through collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Folur project — centred on Integrated Landscape Management — covers an area of approximately 2.38 million hectares across 12 districts in Sabah, and is expected to benefit around 54,000 rural residents. He said the Folur project is a significant step in Sabah's efforts to strike a balance between agricultural development and environmental conservation, as the State moves towards a more sustainable, efficient and inclusive food system. 'This project promotes sustainable agricultural practices, particularly in the palm oil sector, while also restoring degraded forest areas. It allows us to reduce pressure on forest ecosystems while ensuring food security and income sources for the people of Sabah,' he said at the launch of the 2025 Sabah-level International Day of Forests at the grounds of the Faculty of Tropical Forestry, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Thursday. His speech was delivered by State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe. Hajiji said in the long term, this initiative will support climate goals, as forests play a vital role in combating climate change through carbon absorption. Folur will contribute to Sabah's commitment to climate action, biodiversity conservation and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 15: 'Life on Land.' He added that the State Forestry Department is currently drafting a Statewide Forest Master Plan, which will outline strategies for managing forest resources over the next 25 years, covering forested areas throughout the State. Through this plan, all Ecologically Sensitive Areas will continue to be protected, while socio-economic development that improves the well-being of Sabahans will also move forward. This aligns with the implementation of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Development Plan 1.0 (2021–2025), which integrates infrastructure development with a focus on green growth. Hajiji said the Sabah Climate Action Council (SCAC), established by the State Government, acts as an advisory body and serves as a platform for consultation and policy coordination related to climate change. Several key initiatives have already been implemented, including setting strategic directions and coordinating climate change mitigation and adaptation projects at the State level. He added that given the forestry sector's crucial role in addressing climate change, a Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Unit has been established within the Sabah Forestry Department. 'Through SCAC, Sabah continues to strengthen its position as a leader in progressive, sustainability-focused environmental governance,' he said. Hajiji said a Climate Change Impact, Vulnerability and Adaptation Study was conducted in 2024, and this will serve as a reference for drafting the Sabah Climate Change Policy to ensure alignment with national climate action developments. As a state with low carbon emissions, Hajiji said Sabah can leverage this position to venture into a low-carbon economy, as it has the potential to develop with minimal energy and resource requirements, thereby reducing its climate impact. He also said Sabah is in the process of finalising its State Climate Change Policy, which is based on the principles of good governance, a just transition, resilience and sustainable economic growth, in line with Malaysia's Climate Change Policy 2.0. 'In tandem with the development of this policy, Sabah will also be drafting a Climate Change Enactment to align with the development of the National Climate Change Bill (RUUPIN), which is currently being finalised at the federal level,' Hajiji said. Touching on the recent amendments to the Forest Enactment, he said forest-based carbon activities will be regulated under specific terms and conditions, and any revenue or funds generated from forest carbon credit activities will be channelled directly to the State. He said this is important to support the Sabah Government's efforts in achieving a balance between socio-economic development and environmental conservation in the future. Hajiji asserted that all climate change-related activities in Sabah, including carbon markets, must be registered, monitored, analysed and reported to SCAC, as the focal point for the State's climate agenda. This ensures proper reporting to the State Government and equitable participation for Sabah. * 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
