George Wong (second from left) engages in a warm conversation with Yang Andi, Vice Governor of Jilin Province, China, at the VIP Lounge of Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
KOTA KINABALU (Nov 25): The Malaysia (Sabah)-China Business Summit, hosted by the Sabah State Government and organized by the Ministry of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship (MIDE), successfully concluded on Sunday at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Kota Kinabalu. The summit brought together high-level delegations from Chinese provincial and municipal governments, state-owned enterprises (SOEs), private corporations, business associations, and chambers of commerce.
This event marked a significant milestone in Sabah-China economic collaboration, infusing new momentum into regional economic growth and fostering a shared vision for prosperity.
As a co-organizer, Invest Sabah Berhad played an instrumental role in supporting Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, Sabah’s Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship.
Deputy chairman George Wong Hshueh Cheng actively participated in hosting and coordination efforts, including welcoming and bidding farewell to dignitaries at Kota Kinabalu International Airport, and attending bilateral meetings and courtesy visits.
Emphasizing the importance of mutual understanding, Wong stated, “By effectively articulating Sabah’s and China’s unique perspectives while actively listening to one another, we can strengthen the foundation of our cooperation.”
Wong also highlighted Invest Sabah’s dual role as a promoter of Sabah’s investment opportunities and as a facilitator for seamless collaboration. From project agreements to oversight and conflict resolution, the agency remains dedicated to addressing investor concerns and ensuring fruitful outcomes for both local and foreign stakeholders.
The summit delved into high-potential areas of collaboration, including infrastructure development, natural resources, manufacturing, supply chain, and industrial optimization,
agriculture and higher education, renewable energy and tourism, digital and marine economies.
Tailored investment incentives were introduced to further bolster practical and impactful cooperation, aiming to support social development and economic growth on both sides.
Wong underscored Sabah’s strategic position as a critical gateway linking China and ASEAN nations. With modernized seaports, international airports, and state-supported industrial parks such as Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP), Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP), and Lahad Datu Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC), Sabah offers robust infrastructure for international investors.
Through the Belt and Road Initiative, Sabah is advancing cooperation in logistics, trade, technology transfer and cultural exchanges. These efforts not only elevate Sabah’s competitiveness but also reinforce its pivotal role within the global economic framework.
Addressing Sabah’s challenges in technological development and resource management, the summit focused on leveraging advanced Chinese technologies and expertise to enhance local industrial capabilities. Optimizing supply chain and industrial efficiency will enable Sabah to position itself as a regional hub of innovation and transformation.
Chinese SOEs and private corporations have expressed strong confidence in Sabah’s investment potential. They highlighted the state’s abundant natural resources, strategic geographic location, transparent policies, and investor-friendly environment as key factors fostering business success.
This summit further strengthened mutual trust, with commitments from both sides to accelerate sustainable economic development through shared ventures.
Wong reaffirmed Invest Sabah’s commitment to “not only promoting Sabah but also facilitating, monitoring, and ensuring the successful implementation of collaborative projects.”
From signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to tracking project milestones, the agency is steadfast in resolving challenges and delivering tangible benefits for all stakeholders.
Moving forward, Invest Sabah aims to strengthen bilateral communication to ensure transparency and sustainability in key projects; reactivate and prioritize pending government-to-government (G2G) agreements; deepen ties with Chinese enterprises to build a robust and integrated supply chain ecosystem for high-quality regional economic growth.
Wong concluded by stating, “The success of this summit marks a historic milestone in Sabah-China economic relations. The Sabah State Government and Invest Sabah remain committed to delivering on the summit’s outcomes, fostering cooperation, and building a vibrant economic ecosystem for the region.”
