SANDAKAN: Genuine Sabah products will soon carry a hologram logo that will differentiate them from those made outside the State but passed off as originating from Sabah.
The Sabah Ministry of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship (MIDE) will introduce the “Authentic Sabah” logo to be distributed free to all entrepreneurs registered with the Department of Industrial Development and Research (DIDR) this month.
“The purpose of this hologram print is to overcome the problem of dumping products that use the identity of Sabah products but are processed or manufactured outside the state,” said its Assistant Minister Datuk Andi Mohamad Surady Bandy.
The criteria for the recipients of this hologram label are that the items produced in Sabah, can penetrate local or export markets and meet packaging standards set by the market.
He said this at a press conference immediately after attending the Engagement Session of Micro, Small and Limited Enterprise Entrepreneurs (PMKS).
About 100 related entrepreneurs from Sandakan, Kota Marudu and Lahad Datu and surrounding areas participated in the programme.
Present were Director of DIDR Tseu Kei Yue and Entrepreneur Development Manager of the Sabah Economic Development Corporation (Sedco), Abdul Rahim Md. Zain.
This engagement session was held, among others, to provide information to entrepreneurs regarding aid, programmes and grants provided by the government to help traders develop their respective enterprises and not be left behind.
In the current economic situation, it is important to help them further develop the enterprises of small entrepreneurs and those involved.
Andi also said due to the Government's concern for PMKS entrepreneurs in the state, the total allocation for the Small and Medium Industry Assistance Programme (BAIKS) in 2023 has been increased to RM15 million compared to the RM10 million in 2022.
With this, DIDR can also add assistance categories to the MeSTI and Halal Certification Programme which will help reduce the burden on PMKS Entrepreneurs to obtain MeSTI and Halal Certification for their products.
Earlier, Andi said in order to increase business space for Bumiputera entrepreneurs in the state of Sabah, the Ministry through Sedco has allocated funds amounting to RM7.5 million for 2023 to develop socio-economic projects that have business premises facilities organized, comfortable and affordable.
“Various programs and initiatives have been planned to support the development of entrepreneurs and create a resilient and sustainable industry.
“These planned programmes will be able to optimise the performance of entrepreneurs and cooperatives and create opportunities for entrepreneurs to grow more advanced,” he said.
Andi added that the State Government through MIDE also continues to be committed to the development of entrepreneurs.
“This matter is explained in the Sabah Maju Jaya Development Plan and translated through the Ministry's Mission which is to promote PMKS as the main support industry and catalyst for the development of the manufacturing industry,” he added.
The Manufacturing Sector has contributed as much as 7.5 per cent equivalent to RM 5.9 Billion to Sabah's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the year 2021.
Of this, 69 per cent was contributed by the Food Processing Industry consisting of PMKS Entrepreneurs in the state of Sabah.
“Accordingly, in order to increase the contribution of the Manufacturing Sector to the GDP of the state of Sabah, PMKS Entrepreneurs need to play a role by increasing the income of entrepreneurs for the local and foreign markets.
“This will definitely also increase job opportunities for the people in the state of Sabah,” he explained.
