Kota Kinabalu: Japanese firms are showing keen interest in investment opportunities available through the Sabah Development Corridor, said Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia, Masahiko Horie.Masahiko, who is on his first visit to Sabah, said this after meeting with the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) Sabah Executive Director Datuk Dr Mohd Yaakub Hj Johari, Wednesday.
He cited the Yanmar Group, which has established its research and development office in Sabah, as one such group that has invested in the State.
Mohd Yaakub pointed out that several companies have also indicated their interest to collaborate with local companies in various sectors, including the oil and gas as well as electronics.
One such corporation was Matsushita Electric Works under the Panasonic Group, which is currently in discussion with Harusmas Sdn Bhd for fibreboard production in Pitas.
In view of this, Mohd Yaakub sought the ambassador's assistance in inviting more Japanese entrepreneurs and corporations to seize the economic opportunities in the SDC.
He briefed Masahiko on the SDC as well as the potential of the State due to its strategic location between the affluent markets of North Asia such as Japan, Korea and China.
The State is also blessed with natural resources including oil and gas, fertile land, minerals and forestry, he said.
"The State is poised to capture higher value from downstream processing activities through investments in oleo-chemicals, gas processing plants, agro-industry and timber-based manufacturing. Therefore opportunities are abound in the SDC for investors to participate," added Mohd Yaakub.
