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Kota Kinabalu: Economic development in Sabah could be potentially accelerated with digitalisation, especially the State’s key economic sectors, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba.

Citing an example, he said the use of Internet of Things (IoT) technology in the smart agriculture and aquaculture sector could improve the skills of local farmers and increase their yields.

“Through IoT technology, farmers have access to real-time information or real-time data to track weather forecasts, air quality, humidity levels, amount of light, temperature, soil conditions and much more data to ensure healthier crop growth.

“The IoT usage in the industry in Malaysia is also expected to contribute RM9.8 billion to the gross national income in 2025,” he said in a speech in conjunction with the launch of the Sabah Sandbox Digital IoT pilot programme, here, Tuesday.

His speech was read by Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (Mosti) Secretary-General Datuk Zainal Abidin Abu Hassan and the ceremony was officiated by Sabah Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Yakub Khan.

Through IoT, local Sabah companies could automate operations and this would reduce labour costs, waste and improve service delivery, increase competitiveness by lowering manufacturing costs, and increase transparency with customers, he said

“IoT will also accelerate the adaptation of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotic technology and further open up space for monetisation of data,” he said.

He added that the Sabah Sandbox Digital IoT would create an industrial IoT ecosystem to encourage the development, dissemination and use of IoT technology, and strengthen Sabah’s position as an IoT centre of excellence to generate economic growth.

“I believe this can also attract experts in various fields to come together and generate ideas and inspiration for state development in various related sectors,” he said.

At a press conference after the ceremony, Yakub said the Sabah Sandbox Digital IoT was the eighth one-stop IoT technology centre of its kind in the country and the first in East Malaysia.

He said the centre, which would be located at Wisma Bandara, here, would gather experts in IoT technology to provide guidance and assistance to locals and Sabah industry players.

“It is like a technology laboratory to help develop innovation and help up to the marketing level, it will boost the development of innovation to shape Sabah’s economy and encourage research and development in science, technology and innovation,” he added.