Deputy CM Ewon Benedick pledges investor-friendly, competitive environment and improved quality for Sabah-made products.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick has pledged to strengthen Sabah’s entrepreneurial ecosystem to make it more investor-friendly, competitive and capable of raising the standards of local products.
Ewon, who is also the Sabah Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Transport, said these priorities were outlined during his first-day briefing with Assistant Minister Datuk Jonnybone J Kurum and agency heads under the ministry.
He said the ministry aims to create an ecosystem that genuinely supports small and medium enterprises, cooperatives and small traders, while ensuring high-quality service.
Ewon added that improving the standards and quality of Sabah-made products is central to the Sabah First agenda, which seeks to expand the market reach of local products.
The ministry will focus on three core areas, namely an investor-friendly ecosystem, improved product standards and enhanced service quality. Ewon said these form the foundation of efforts to build greater pride among Sabahans in local products and services.
He also expressed readiness to lead the ministry in driving better performance aligned with public expectations and state priorities.
Meanwhile, Jonnybone, who is also Telupid assemblyman, said he is committed to supporting the ministry’s agenda.
He will place particular emphasis on entrepreneurial development and identifying economic potential in rural districts, especially Telupid, which remains among Sabah’s poorest areas.
Jonnybone said he would fully utilise the trust placed in him to help ensure an inclusive approach to strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem across the state.
