By WU VUIDE
SEOUL, South Korea: Sabah’s Ministry of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship (MINDET) will continue supporting the development of local Sabah companies through existing initiatives.
These new programmes are aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of Sabah enterprises in the international market.
Its Minister and Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III, Datuk Ewon Benedick, said the effort is important to ensure more local companies successfully penetrate global markets and expand their businesses to greater heights.
“I am proud that more Sabah-based companies are now successfully entering global markets, generating annual revenues ranging from millions to tens of millions of Ringgit.
“Their success creates more employment opportunities for local people while helping to build supply chains and enterprise service networks,” he said.
He said this after officiating at a simple opening ceremony for the Sabah Pavilion at the Seoul Food & Hotel Expo 2026 at the Korea International Exhibition Center (KINTEX) here on Monday.
Eight Sabah companies are participating in the expo, namely Kerupuk Lelek Enterprise Sdn Bhd, Yuly Global International Sdn Bhd, Aryana Food Sdn Bhd, Hong Xin Food Sdn Bhd, RDS Juta Food Industries Sdn Bhd, Norcy Beautylab Sdn Bhd, BTC Corporation Sdn Bhd and Takahari Marketing Sdn Bhd.
Ewon also expressed appreciation to all parties that continue to help expand the market reach of Sabah products and services internationally.
According to him, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) plays an important role in facilitating the participation of local companies in global markets through various trade promotion and export development programmes.
He said Sabah companies’ participation in the Seoul Food & Hotel Expo 2026 is expected to create more opportunities for trade, investment and international business networking, while strengthening the presence of Sabah products and brands in global markets.
Earlier, Ewon attended the official opening ceremony of the Seoul Food & Hotel Expo 2026 together with other members of the Sabah delegation.
The expo brings together more than 3,400 booths involving 1,800 companies from 49 countries, including Malaysia, which is also showcasing the Sabah Pavilion. This year marks the 44th edition of the event.
Ewon also joined invited guests representing various countries and foreign embassies in officiating at the expo’s opening ceremony.
Ewon opens Sabah Pavilion at Seoul Food & Hotel Expo.
