Kota Kinabalu: State Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship (MIDE) Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe visited five local manufacturers in Inanam to engage with and understand their needs for expansion and upscaling.
He said the primary concern expressed by all five manufacturers was the insufficient space needed to upscale and expand their production lines to meet increasing demand and boost Sabah’s export capacity.
“I am heartened to witness the resilience and ambition of our local manufacturers. After listening to their needs, I am committed to facilitating their expansion efforts.
“Ensuring our manufacturers have the necessary land and resources is paramount. It is my utmost priority to foster an environment where our local industries can flourish,” he said in a statement.
Phoong emphasised the broader impact of supporting local manufacturers, noting that expansion efforts will lead to increased employment opportunities for Sabahans.
“HKT Industries Sdn Bhd, for instance, currently employs around 700 Sabahans. With the proposed expansion, they have the potential to hire even more workers, thereby contributing significantly to the local economy and improving livelihoods.
Datuk Alan Ang of Uniang Plastics Industries Sdn Bhd and James Ha of Dong Sin Food Sdn Bhd expressed their eagerness to expand their production capabilities and are actively seeking potential land and space for this purpose.
“We are prepared to meet the increasing export demands. However, it is crucial that our local manufacturers are given priority access to larger spaces. This move will significantly benefit the local economy,” they were quoted as saying.
Owner of Hong Xin Food Sdn Bhd, Cherry Ding, expressed her gratitude to the Minister for taking the time to visit and listen to their challenges.
“His willingness to understand our needs first hand and offer his support is greatly appreciated. We look forward to working together to achieve our expansion goals and contribute to the economic development of Sabah,” she said.
Phoong said the visit marks a pivotal step in the collaboration between the Government and local industries which aims to elevate Sabah’s manufacturing capabilities and position the State as a competitive player in the global market.
