LAHAD DATU: Sabah’s rich natural resources can be developed into high-value products capable of carrying the State’s name into international markets while creating more employment opportunities for locals, said Sabah Development Berhad (SDB) Chairman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob.
He said Sabah-based companies such as Shiang Lung Supply Sdn Bhd had demonstrated how resources from the land and sea could be transformed into commercial products with wider market potential.
Yusof said the company’s expansion into bird’s nest, fish and other marine-based products showed how local resources could support business growth while creating employment opportunities.
“The resources are here, whether from the sea or land, and it is up to us to develop them into products that generate value,” he said during a recent visit to Shiang Lung Supply Sdn Bhd’s bird’s nest processing factory here.
He said Shiang Lung currently employed about 130 people, with further expansion potentially creating more opportunities for Sabahans, including graduates and young people.
Yusof said products carrying a “Product of Sabah” identity could also help promote the State as they entered overseas markets.
“If the products are marketed as ‘Product of Sabah’, they will carry the name of Sabah with them when they reach other countries,” he said.
He said greater access to international markets would provide opportunities for more local companies to develop value-added products and expand their businesses.
He said the State Government and relevant agencies could support such companies by facilitating necessary processes and providing opportunities to promote Sabah products through trade exhibitions locally and abroad.
He also encouraged more young Sabahans and graduates to consider entrepreneurship and build businesses that could eventually compete beyond the domestic market.
“We want to see more local entrepreneurs growing their businesses and eventually bringing the name of Sabah to the international level,” he said.
Meanwhile, Shiang Lung Managing Director Kent Lim Vun Tung said the company was committed to developing products closely linked to Sabah’s natural resources, including bird’s nest, fish maw and sea cucumber.
“We are proud to be a Sabah-based company and to build our business by using the diversity and wealth that Sabah has,” he said.
Kent added that the company was exploring opportunities in Muslim-majority markets and pursuing halal certification to support its expansion.
