By MOHD IZHAM BIN HASHIM
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s bioeconomy industry is brimming with potential, fuelled by the dedication of local companies committed to producing a wide range of high-quality products, said Bioeconomy Corporation Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mohd Khairul Fidzul Abdul Razak.
He noted that this growing commitment is clearly reflected in the rising participation of biotechnology companies in the Bioeconomy Tours 2025, particularly in Sabah.
“Local products are not only gaining traction in domestic markets but are also making inroads internationally. This is the key difference compared to Bioeconomy Tours 2024 — companies today are more focused, more committed, and quality-driven,” he told reporters after officiating the Sabah edition of the program yesterday.
Khairul added that the corporation, alongside the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), is stepping up efforts to engage with industry players.
“We want to understand their challenges, resolve issues, and provide the support needed to help these companies progress,” he said.
The Sabah edition of the Bioeconomy Tours is being organized in partnership with Invest Sabah Berhad (Invest Sabah), with the goal of strengthening the state’s bioeconomy ecosystem and creating sustainable economic opportunities for its people.
According to Khairul, the corporation is also working to accelerate the growth of local businesses in line with the national target for the bioeconomy sector to contribute five percent to Malaysia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“The program will be expanded more aggressively, not only to provide income for participating companies but also to foster stronger collaborations that can generate greater revenue,” he explained.
Building on the success of the 2024 initiative, particularly in Sabah, Khairul shared that 249 participants had completed the BeST 2.0 program, including 29 from Sabah. The initiative achieved an impressive 97 percent job placement rate, while 12 local companies successfully became host or industry training partners.
“This year, we are targeting six strategic locations, involving more than 200 participants and the launch of 60 new products or innovations.
“The effort is further strengthened by the BioSynergy program, a collaboration between Bioeconomy Corporation and POIC Lahad Datu, which links industries and stakeholders with bio-innovation solutions from BioNexus-status and Bio-based Accelerator (BBA) companies,” he said.
He stressed that both BBA and BioNexus-status companies play a crucial role in advancing technology, producing high-value products, and creating high-skilled jobs. To date, over 630 companies nationwide have recorded approved investments worth RM8.7 billion as of the second quarter of 2025.
“Continued support for these companies will drive the growth of a Science, Technology and Innovation (STI)-based economy,” he said.
Meanwhile, Invest Sabah CEO Dr. Firdausi Suffian emphasized Sabah’s potential to become a regional bioeconomy hub.
He described the initiative as a strategic platform to spur the growth of biotechnology and bio-based industries in the state, ultimately unlocking more economic opportunities for its people.
“Sabah’s rich biodiversity can be transformed into high-value products such as microalgae for biofuels, cosmetic ingredients, and health supplements.
“Our seaweed has potential to be developed into pharmaceuticals, bioplastics, and pet food nutrition, while palm oil waste can be converted into bioenergy and green chemicals,” he explained.
Firdausi also urged local universities and research institutions to play a bigger role in research and development (R&D), product commercialization, and workforce development.
“Together with Bioeconomy Corporation and industry players, we can position Sabah at the forefront of the bioeconomy industry,” he said.
