KIMANIS: The Sabah Economic Development Corporation (Sedco) has reaffirmed its commitment to transform Sabah into a regional powerhouse for agro-based industries, with its flagship Sabah Agro-Industrial Park (SAIP) in Kimanis taking centre stage.
Speaking at the inaugural SAIP Biz-Connect Day 2025, SEDCO Chief Executive Officer Datuk Ar. James Wong said the park has begun to realise its vision of becoming a key catalyst for agro-industrial growth, creating jobs and nurturing local entrepreneurs.
“It has been the State Government’s vision to tap into the immense potential of the agro-industry in Sabah,” Wong said.
“SAIP aims to drive economic empowerment and entrepreneurship while positioning Sabah as a hub for downstream agro-based industries.”He said tenants from a variety of sectors, including food processing, herbal, and medical product manufacturing, have already set up operations in SAIP, generating employment particularly for the local communities in Kimanis and surrounding areas.
The Biz-Connect Day, he explained, was created to foster greater collaboration between government agencies, private sector players, and research institutions.
“For too long, these sectors have worked in isolation. We must embrace a new way of thinking by working backwards from market potential,” he said.
The event also highlighted the success of Sanomedical Asiapac Sdn. Bhd., a homegrown biotech company that began operations at SAIP.
Leveraging the park’s ISO- and HACCP-ready infrastructure, the company quickly scaled up production of medical-grade antiseptics and biomedical materials, secured off-takers in Indonesia, and achieved profitability within six months.
“Sanomed is the kind of success story we want to replicate,” Wong said. “Our goal is to help more local companies grow beyond Sabah’s borders through the ecosystem that SAIP provides.”He invited investors and entrepreneurs to explore the park’s ready-to-lease factory units, industrial lots, and purpose-built facilities.
However, he stressed that long-term sustainability must come from viable business models, not dependency.
“SAIP and SEDCO are not just government agencies giving out freebies. We are your partners, we invest in infrastructure to help you grow, but it must also be financially sustainable,” he emphasised.
Wong urged participants to see the Biz-Connect Day as the beginning of a stronger partnership between the government, industry, and academia. “The facilities are here, the infrastructure is ready, and the opportunities are waiting,” he concluded.
