Kota Kinabalu: Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor has hailed the RM31 billion three-phase project by Esteel Enterprise Sabah Sdn Bhd as a major milestone for the state’s economic development.
He said it would generate jobs, foster innovation and support local businesses.
Speaking at the launch of the project’s Phase 1 at the Sabah International Convention Centre yesterday, Hajiji thanked Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Singapore-based Green Esteel Group for backing Sabah’s industrial ambitions.
“This project is not merely a financial commitment. It is a vote of your confidence in our vision and in our capacity to foster growth and development,” he said in his speech.
Hajiji added that the steel manufacturing plant, located in the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (Sogip), is expected to create a wide range of “ripple effects” in sectors such as green technology and local entrepreneurship.
He said job creation must benefit Sabahans first and urged industry players to prioritise the training and upskilling of the local workforce.
“I want all industry players to invest in the training and development of our local workforce and to comply with this fundamental requirement as a core principle of our commitment to local development,” he said.
Hajiji also credited more than a dozen federal and state agencies for their role in fast-tracking approvals for the Esteel project and assured the group that their “trust is well-placed”.
“Together, we have the potential to achieve remarkable outcomes, leading the way for growth and development,” he said.
Hajiji reaffirmed that Sabah will maintain its investor-friendly stance, noting that the state has implemented policies to attract more investors.
“We are committed to creating a conducive environment that nurtures investments and fosters collaboration,” he said, adding that besides Sogip, the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park has also seen increased tenancy over the past four years.
Due to high investor demand, Hajiji said the state government had approved three new industrial parks in Kota Belud, Beaufort and Kudat under its Blue Economy initiative.
