Sabah identifies nine key sectors to boost border area economy

 By Olivia Miwil - March 22, 2025 @ 11:44am

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor chairing the Sedia meeting at Bajau Sama Cultural Centre here yesterday. - Photo courtesy of Sabah Chief Minister's office

TUARAN: The Sabah Border Area Economic Development Study has outlined nine high-impact economic sectors identified as key drivers to boost the state's border economy.

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the study, conducted by the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (Sedia), focuses on the strategic border districts of Sipitang, Nabawan, Kalabakan and Tawau borders.

"The study identifies nine high-potential sectors, including community-based tourism, fishery and aquaculture, the palm oil downstream industry, biochemical, biofuel, and cross-border trade," he said in a statement after chairing a meeting at the Bajau Sama Cultural Centre here yesterday.

Hajiji, who is also Sedia chairman, said the strategic activities identified under these sectors are expected to increase the Gross Value Added of existing resources by 330 per cent to RM1.6 billion and create 10,660 job opportunities by 2040.

He added that the study was funded by the Economy Ministry.

Since 2009, under the Ninth to the Twelfth Malaysia Plans, Sedia has implemented more than 1,275 projects with a total allocation of RM3.8 billion, focusing on high-impact, people-centric, poverty eradication, and human capital development programmes.

For the first Rolling Plan of the 13th Malaysia Plan next year, Sedia has submitted 14 project proposals, including 10 new ones worth RM702 million.