KOTA KINABALU: The Kudat Blue Economy Industrial Park (KBEIP) Masterplan has advanced into its final stage ahead of schedule, marking significant progress towards establishing Sabah’s flagship blue economy development in northern Sabah.
Sedco Group General Manager Datuk Ar. James Wong Kein Peng said the Draft Final Masterplan and Report under Stage 3 had been successfully presented, allowing the project to proceed to Stage 4, involving the preparation of the Final Masterplan.
He said the progress was recorded during the third Technical Committee Meeting and third Steering Committee Meeting held at the Hyatt Regency Kinabalu on Sept 30.
The meetings, jointly convened by Sedco and the Ministry of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport (Mindet), brought together representatives from state and federal ministries, technical agencies, utility providers, district offices and the private sector.
Wong said KBEIP would cover a strategic 1,205-acre site in Kudat, with designated areas for downstream seafood processing, cold chain logistics, maritime services, green manufacturing, eco-tourism and commercial town centres.
He said another 3,129 acres in surrounding areas had been allocated for local community “feedstock” production, which could be integrated with Sedco’s Resilient, Innovative Sedco Entrepreneurs (RISE) Programme and Strategic Entrepreneur Development Fund (S-SEED).
“These initiatives are intended to provide structured training, financing, certification, business facilities and market access to empower local small and medium enterprises and Bumiputera entrepreneurs,” he said.
Wong said the development would also incorporate future-proof utility infrastructure, including a phased 132kV grid connection from PMU Matunggong, together with Solar Hill Farms and Battery Energy Storage Systems.
He said the project was being developed to create sustainable economic opportunities, high-value jobs and new business activities for communities in northern Sabah.
Wong also expressed appreciation to the committee members, department heads, technical experts and agency representatives for their cooperation and input in developing the masterplan.
He said their involvement was important in ensuring that KBEIP was aligned with the needs and interests of Sabah.
Also present were Kudat District Officer Charles William Dabbi, Assistant District Officer Mohd Azmy @ Aming Majirun, SVH General Manager Yahyah Sidek, senior officers, as well as representatives from various departments and agencies.
