INANAM : – Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe visited five local manufacturers in Inanam yesterday to engage with the local manufacturing sector and understand theirneeds for expansion and upscaling.
The Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Sabah visit underscores the ministry’s commitment to fostering industrial growth and enhancing the economic landscape of Sabah.
Accompanied by FMM Sabah Chairman James Ha, Phoong toured HKT Industries Sdn Bhd, Uniang Plastic Industries Sdn Bhd,Dong Sin Food Sdn Bhd, Rinajadi Sdn Bhd, and Hong Xin Food Sdn Bhd.
The primary concern expressed by all five owners was the insufficient space needed to upscale and expand their production lines to meet increasing demand andboost Sabah’s export capacity.
“I am heartened to witness the resilience and ambition of our localmanufacturers,” remarked Phoong.
“After listening to their needs, I amcommitted to facilitating their expansion efforts. Ensuring our manufacturershave the necessary land and resources is paramount. It is my utmost priority tofoster an environment where our local industries can flourish.”
Phoong emphasized the broader impact of supporting local manufacturers,noting that expansion efforts will lead to increased employment opportunities for Sabahans.
“HKT Industries Sdn Bhd, for instance, currently employs around 700 Sabahans.
With the proposed expansion, they have the potential to hire evenmore workers, thereby contributing significantly to the local economy andimproving livelihoods.”
Datuk Alan Ang of Uniang Plastics Industries Sdn Bhd and James Ha of Dong Sin Food Sdn Bhd expressed their eagerness to expand their production capabilities and are actively seeking potential land and space for this purpose.
“We are prepared to meet the increasing export demands; however, it is crucialthat our local manufacturers are given priority access to larger spaces,” he said
This move will significantly benefit the local economy
One of the factory owners, Cherry Ding of Hong Xin Food Sdn Bhd,expressed her gratitude to the minister, stating.
“We are truly thankful to Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe for taking the time to visit our factories and listen to ourchallenges. His willingness to understand our needs first hand and offer his support is greatly appreciated.”
“We look forward to working together to achieveour expansion goals and contribute to the economic development of Sabah.”
This visit marks a pivotal step in the collaboration between the government and local industries, aiming to elevate Sabah’s manufacturing capabilities andposition the state as a competitive player in the global market.
