By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Chief Minister III cum Sabah Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport, Datuk Ewon Benedick, said strategic collaboration with industry players is a key foundation in realising the Sabah First vision being advanced by his ministry.
He said the Sabah First policy will form the basis for developing three main ecosystems — investment, business and entrepreneurship — while strengthening the standards and quality of products and services produced by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
He added that the Federation of Sabah Industries (FSI), which brings together more than 200 companies across sectors including food and beverages, building materials, oil and gas, logistics, furniture and textiles, has long proven to be an essential backbone of Sabah’s industrial community for the past four decades.
“I am pleased to foster a sense of unity and cooperation in developing Sabah’s potential in line with the Sabah First vision that I want to drive in this ministry.
“Good relations and cooperation with stakeholders, especially industry players such as FSI, form the foundation for the success of the Sabah First vision,” he said.
He said this when speaking at FSI’s 42nd anniversary celebration and the swearing-in ceremony of its new office bearers.
Ewon said that beginning January 2026, his ministry will hold a series of engagement sessions with FSI and other industry organisations to discuss the investment, business and entrepreneurship ecosystems, thereby strengthening the support framework for the state’s industrial efforts.
At the same time, he said his focus in December is on official visits to departments, agencies and government-linked companies under his portfolio before moving into engagement sessions with industry players.
Ewon also stressed that the transport portfolio, now consolidated under his ministry, is a strategic move to strengthen the state’s connectivity through road networks, ports, airports and multimodal systems in support of industrial growth and logistics efficiency.
Regarding the event, he expressed appreciation to FSI for its continued commitment in supporting Sabah’s industrial growth, and encouraged industry players to enhance their capacity to seize opportunities within an expanding investment landscape.
“I invite all industry players during tonight’s table-to-table visits to jointly develop Sabah First, a better Sabah. I truly appreciate the support and cooperation extended to realise this vision,” he said.
He also congratulated FSI’s newly appointed leadership and hoped that close cooperation between the government and industry will continue to strengthen for a more competitive economic future for the state.
Ewon together with the new FSI office bearers and past presidents and members.
