KUCHING: Deputy Chief Minister III cum Sabah Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick has called for closer collaboration between indigenous entrepreneurs in Sabah and Sarawak to build a stronger economic identity and enhance their competitiveness at the national and international levels.
He said indigenous business communities should strive to develop their own economic strength while preserving their ethnic identity, culture and heritage, adding that the success of the Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) in establishing its own headquarters demonstrated the importance of building lasting economic assets.
Speaking after launching the Cultural and Business Exhibition at the DCCI building on Saturday, Ewon said indigenous entrepreneurs should also aim to establish companies listed on Bursa Malaysia, expand into overseas markets and venture into strategic industries such as artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors.
The exhibition, jointly organised by DCCI and the Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) in conjunction with the 17th Gawai-Kaamatan celebration, featured 82 entrepreneurs from Sabah and Sarawak showcasing a variety of products.
Ewon also expressed confidence that cooperation between DCCI and KCCI would continue to grow, while revealing that Sabah and Sarawak had agreed to strengthen strategic collaboration in trade and industrial development following his meeting with Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.