Sai (second right), Jackie (left), Chew (right) and other guests of the seminar.
KOTA KINABALU (Sept 22): The state government has remained deeply committed to advancing the industrial and commercial landscape of Sabah, said Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister
Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe.
He said the government recognized that business growth and expansion are not possible without the right governmental support.
“To this end, the state has introduced a range of policies and initiatives designed to help businesses thrive in a rapidly changing marketplace.
“One of our flagship initiatives is the Small and Medium Enterprises Upgrade Program (SME-UP) through the Department of Industrial Development and Research (DIDR).
Under this program, the state government has invested RM15 million to assist SMEs in upgrading their equipment, improving packaging, and adopting digital transformation to boost their production capacity and efficiency,” said Phoong.
He said these efforts not only enhance the competitiveness of the local businesses but also breathe new life into Sabah’s economy.
“Additionally, we have placed a strong emphasis on increasing the international competitiveness of Sabah’s enterprises. We have raised the funding for participation in exhibitions from RM1 million to RM5 million to support more businesses in showcasing their products and services at national and international trade fairs. By gaining this exposure, we aim to help Sabah enterprises access larger markets and unlock new opportunities in global trade,” he said in his speech for the “Level Up Your Business” Seminar organised by the Sabah China Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneurs at Raia Hotel here on Saturday.
Phoong’s speech was delivered by his Private Secretary Sai Jia Sheng.
One hundred and fifty people attended the seminar which was aimed to promote the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises in Sabah and enhance their market competitiveness.
The speakers at the seminar were Asmah Khalid, Director of MyIPO Sabah; Hafezah Abdul Halim, head of MUIS Halal Hub; Chang Shui Han, Principal Assistant Director from the Food Safety and Quality Division, Sabah State Health Department; and Noraffendy Gastan from FAMA Sabah.
They gave presentations on intellectual property, halal certification, food safety and SME matching grants for the food and agricultural industries.
Also present were Jackie Voo, the chairperson of the organizing committee and Sabah China Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneurs chairman Chew Heng Hock.
