Kota Kinabalu: State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe met with US Embassy Political Counsel Chris Carver, Monday, to discuss expanding cooperation between Malaysia and the United States.
The luncheon meeting focused on enhancing bilateral relations across political, economic and trade sectors, with particular emphasis on opportunities for Sabah’s industrial development.
Phoong highlighted recent US investments in Sabah, citing ConocoPhillips’ expanded presence in Sabah’s oil and gas sector as evidence of growing international investor confidence.
He said Sabah’s strategic location and abundant resources position it well for future partnerships.
Phoong praised the US Embassy’s “sports diplomacy” programs, including visits by former NBA players and American women’s football teams to mentor local athletes and strengthen cultural ties between the two nations.
Carver acknowledged the robust Malaysia-US relationship and revealed that President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Malaysia next month for talks with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, which is expected to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Both officials expressed commitment to deepening government-to-government engagement while expanding business and cultural exchanges that benefit Sabah’s development and the broader Malaysia-US partnership.
