Kota Kinabalu: Foreign investment in Sabah not only opens job opportunities for locals but also creates business opportunities for local suppliers in the State, said State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe.
He said the investment by SBH Kibing Solar New Materials (M) Sdn Bhd not only promises an increase in job opportunities but also activates the involvement of over 600 locals, who now serve as suppliers and contractors or subcontractors at the factory.
“This is clear evidence of how foreign investment can have a direct impact on the people of the State, not only through employment but also through a broader economic chain,” he said.
He said the great success was achieved in just two years since the factory began operations.
Phoong said if the third production line is successfully realised, the total investment value will exceed RM3 billion. “This is not just a number, but an opportunity and a bright future for the people of Sabah.”
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali described the success of foreign investments like Kibing as concrete proof of Sabah's ability to develop inclusively, not only economically but also in promoting the welfare of the people.
“When we talk about the cost of living, we cannot just look at the prices of goods alone. What is important is income generation and the creation of job opportunities,” he said, adding that every job opportunity created contributes to the household income of the people of Sabah.
