Kota Kinabalu: Sabah has secured RM11.9 billion in foreign investments over a two-year period from September 2020 to last month.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the State also secured domestic investment of RM942 million during the same period.
The encouraging progress in foreign and domestic investments, he said, has created about 5,000 jobs for the locals.
“The huge amount of investments received by the State reflected investors’ confidence that Sabah is a good place to do business.
“Thus, the State Government is committed to further improving its policies implementation to strengthen its delivery system,” he said at the launch of the Borneo Architecture Festival 2022 cum convention themed “Borneo Moving Forward” at the Sabah International Convention Centre, here.
The text of his speech was read by State Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya.
Hajiji urged the Malaysian Architect Association (PAM) and other similar organisations to form a partnership with the Sabah Government to develop the State together.
He was pleased with the PAM Sabah Chapter for organising the architecture festival to complement the State Government’s efforts in pushing the development momentum.
“We have not let up since taking over the reins of government in October 2020. And in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, we chart our five-year development plan — the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya —which is a pivotal blueprint in bringing Sabah into the next decade.
“Sabah is on the right track as we have achieved the highest state revenue of RM5.449 billion last year,” he said.
“With greater participation in the State’s oil and gas sector as well as getting more revenue from other sources, the State’s revenue is set to surpass the RM6 billion mark this year,” he said.
On another note, the Chief Minister said building more energy-efficient buildings or green buildings is the way forward, in addition to the restoration and preservation of the natural environment.
“It is heartening to note that the Convention theme coincides with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by all United Nations members in 2015. This Agenda provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.
“In fact, the Government of Malaysia has been working actively towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and intensifying its efforts through various ministries and agencies in climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives,” he said.
According to him, reducing the climate change impact was high on the State Government’s agenda and a Climate Change Action Council under the purview of the Sabah Forestry Department had also been set up to discuss climate change policies and actions, drive green economic growth, catalyse green technology and low-carbon growth.
“The commitment is in line with the Sabah State Policy on the environment as well as the national aspiration, especially in the climate mitigation and adaptation processes,” he said.
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