SHENZHEN, China: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Haji Noor has invited Chinese investors to explore the Blue Economy concept in collaboration with the Sabah state government to develop the food processing sector.
“We will implement this concept that calls for sustainable use of ocean resources for economic development, generate jobs and improve livelihood.
“Sabah has the longest coastline in Malaysia, with more than 1,000 km for fish farming and other marine products. There is vast potential in this area for win-win partnerships,” he said.
Leading a trade mission delegation from Sabah to the “Business and Investment Opportunities in Sabah” Global Chinese Economic and Technology Summit (GCET) at the Futian Shangri-La here this week, Hajiji said the Sabah government would be organising a Blue Economy International Conference in February next year.
And, he also said Chinese investors should consider the energy sector, encompassing traditional sources like fossil fuels and emerging renewable options like solar and wind energy.
“By investing in the energy sector, you play a pivotal role in ensuring a reliable power supply while contributing to a more sustainable energy future.
“While oil and gas will provide an important revenue stream for the state, we also welcome investors to explore renewables such as solar and storage technologies, hydro, geothermal, and carbon market opportunities in Sabah,” he said.
Hajiji added that there were also abundant investment and business opportunities in oil and gas in Sabah.
This industry, he said, has developed rapidly in the last two years because the state government successfully negotiated for greater control of the production and supply of oil and gas with the national oil company, PETRONAS.
“Sabah’s stake in the oil and gas resources will further increase with more wells coming on stream. There is tremendous potential for further investment and business opportunities in downstream manufacturing and support services,” he said.
Hajiji said Chinese investors should also consider investment and business opportunities in developing 5-star hotels, boutique resorts, and high-end tourism products and developing Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (M.I.C.E) business.
“Now that normalcy has returned to the tourism industry, my government has launched a tourism recovery campaign to attract tourists back to Sabah.
“China is only between three to five hours away from Sabah. To date, Sabah is connected to major cities – Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzen, Guangzhou, Hangzhou and Macau, among others in China with 63 weekly flights and a seating capacity of 11,360.
“We hope to see more air connectivity to increase visitor arrivals to Sabah,” he said.
Meanwhile he disclosed that the Sabah government was also actively working on strategies to further boost the state’s tourism sector, such as the development of the Sabah Cultural Park and the introduction of the ‘Sabah My Second Home’ Programme.
And, the Chief Minister has also welcomed investors to discuss the establishment of new industries. “My government is prepared to look into tailor-made policies for new industries for the right investors,” he said.
Also present were State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, chairman of Invest Sabah, Tan Sri Anifah Aman, State Secretary Datuk Seri Panglima Sr Safar Untong and Chairman of the Sabah Economic Advisory Council, Tan Sri David Chu.
The Global Chinese Economic and Technological (GCET) Summit is organised by the China Development Institute, Shenzhen (CDI) and KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific (KSI).
(Photos shows Shareda president and FIABCI member Datuk Sr Chua Soon Ping (3rd right) receiving the World Environmental Social Governance (ESG) Leadership Impact Award from Penang Head of State Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak (3rd left) while Hajiji (2nd right) and Tan Sri Majid Khan, chairman, KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific, Malaysia (2nd left) look on.
