KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Ministry of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport (Mindet) will participate in 13 international trade expos this year to expand market access and boost exports of the state’s local products.
Sabah Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Assistant Minister Datuk Jonnybone J. Kurum said the participation will cover exhibitions in several countries, including Singapore, Thailand, South Korea and France.
“In 2025, our participation in international trade expos delivered encouraging results. Involvement in 18 expos, comprising 124 Sabah small and medium enterprises, generated potential sales of RM95.9 million, an increase of 37.12% from RM60.4 million in 2024,” he said.
Jonnybone was responding to Datuk Abdul Ghani Mohamed Yassin (GRS-Nabawan), who asked about efforts to enhance the productivity of local entrepreneurs and the marketability of Sabah products, at the Sabah State Legislative Assembly sitting here yesterday.
Jonnybone said the ministry remains committed to empowering local entrepreneurs through continuous entrepreneurship development programmes.
“The ministry is committed to enhancing the marketability of local products at both domestic and international levels through various initiatives and entrepreneurship development programmes,” he said.
Among the key initiatives is the SME-UP Assistance Programme, which has benefited 5,879 entrepreneurs as of 2025 through support for machinery, equipment, and certification.
He said the Sabah Entrepreneur Transformation Programme is also being implemented, involving 250 entrepreneurs over five years, with a focus on improving product packaging to penetrate wider markets.
Entrepreneurship development courses, including halal certification, MeSTI certification and digital marketing via platforms such as TikTok and Facebook, are also being conducted to enhance the competitiveness of local products.
To expand market access, Jonnybone said the state government is forging strategic partnerships with leading supermarket chains, including bringing Sabah products to Peninsular Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Assistant Minister of Works and Utilities Limus Jury, responding to a question from Tham Yun Fook (Warisan-Likas), said water supply disruptions in Likas were identified as being caused by ageing asbestos cement pipes and additional pressure from direct pumping systems from water treatment plants.
He said the treated water supply to the area is channelled from the Kasigui Water Treatment Plant and Moyog Water Treatment Plant. Still, existing infrastructure conditions have increased the risk of frequent pipe leakages, particularly along Jalan Keramat and Jalan Tuaran Bypass.
He said the Sabah Water Department is also implementing a three-year Kota Kinabalu Pipe Maintenance Contract, focusing on immediate repairs of leaking and damaged pipes to reduce supply disruptions.
The government has also approved a RM200 million project under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) to replace ageing pipelines and upgrade transmission and distribution pipes. The project is expected to be implemented from the fourth quarter of 2027.
“In addition, the programme to upgrade and replace asbestos cement pipes of various sizes in Kota Kinabalu district is currently under implementation, with physical progress at 7.03%.
“The project, estimated at RM28 million, is scheduled for completion on Feb 4, 2027, and aims to upgrade and replace old pipelines around Kota Kinabalu, including the Likas area,” he said.
