Kota Kinabalu: A total of RM950.78 million in financing has been disbursed to 44,059 entrepreneurs and cooperatives in Sabah as of September this year, through the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (Kuskop) and its agencies.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said this figure reflects the Government’s commitment to expanding access to financing and enhancing the growth and competitiveness of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
HajijiHe noted that entrepreneur development must encompass training, the adoption of technology, productivity improvements, streamlined application processes and access to broader markets in line with the aspirations of “Hebatkan Perniagaan Malaysia” (HPM) or “Empowering Malaysian Businesses” initiative.
“Entrepreneurs require not only financing but also training, technology, productivity enhancements, simplified application processes and access to wider markets,” he said at the launch of the Sabah State-level HPM Carnival 2026 at Lintasan Deasoka, here, Sunday.
His speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick., who also serves as the Sabah Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport.
Hajiji said efforts to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem are aligned with the *Sabah Maju Jaya* (SMJ) 2.0 Development Plan (2026-2030), which focuses on enhancing the State’s competitiveness, productivity, and economic value-add.
He added that the State Government has implemented various initiatives, including the SME-UP Assistance Programme, and has created opportunities for local products to penetrate new markets across the food and beverage, agriculture, tourism, and handicraft sectors.
In this regard, he urged entrepreneurs in Sabah to take advantage of the opportunities available through the HPM Carnival, including financing consultation services, digital training and business matching offered by agencies under the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (Kuskop) as well as State-level strategic partners.
He expressed confidence that close collaboration between the State and Federal governments, financial institutions and the private sector would help more local enterprises grow and penetrate the global market.
