Kota Kinabalu: State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship, Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe is committed to transforming the Sabah Agro-Industrial Park (Saip) into an incubator centre aimed at grooming local agro-industrial and biotechnology talents shifting the park’s focus towards nurturing homegrown innovation and fostering entrepreneurial growth.
In his first official visit to Saip after being appointed Chairman, Phoong laid out his vision to empower local entrepreneurs and small businesses, redirecting the park’s underutilised resources to help grow Sabah’s agro-industrial and biotech sectors.
“Sabah must not only rely on our raw resources—we must process, innovate, and export.
“Saip’s future lies in its ability to groom the next generation of agropreneurs and biotech leaders,” Phoong said.
Saip, now in its 17th year, is equipped with advanced facilities such as R&D labs, herb processing units, skincare formulation labs, smart greenhouses, and mushroom cultivation systems. However, many of these assets have remained dormant for years.
To maximise their potential, he introduced a strategic restructuring plan focused on three core objectives—ensuring affordable access for local SMEs, reactivating underused facilities, and fostering collaborations with research institutions and private investors.
“Seeing these advanced machines and facilities sitting idle is truly heartbreaking.
“I am committed to ensuring they are revived, fully utilised, and transformed into engines of growth for local industries,” he said.
Phoong’s proactive approach has already generated interest from potential investors, signalling early signs of positive change for Saip’s future.
He also emphasised that Saip should not merely be an industrial park, but rather a dynamic hub for talent development, innovation, and value-added production, allowing Sabah’s entrepreneurs to bring their products to both domestic and international markets.
Phoong wrapped up his visit by expressing his gratitude to the officers and stakeholders for their continued commitment.
He urged all parties to unite in their efforts to transform Saip into a thriving ecosystem of mentorship, innovation, and inclusive industrial development, ensuring its role as a key driver of Sabah’s economic future.
Also present during the visit were Chairman of the Sabah Economic Development Corporation (Sedco) Datuk Rubin Balang, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship (Mide) Datuk Thomas Logijin, Group General Manager of Sedco, Annef Osyairi Datuk James Wong General Manager of Saip, and members of the Saip board of directors.
