KUCHING: Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick has called on indigenous entrepreneurs in Sabah and Sarawak to strengthen collaboration in building a distinct economic identity that can compete nationally and internationally.
Ewon, who is also Sabah's Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport, said the effort was crucial in developing an indigenous business community with its own economic strength while preserving ethnic identity, culture and heritage.
"For my ministry, particularly through the Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), I want the ministry to be part of the effort to build a stronger economic identity among Momogun or Kadazandusun entrepreneurs in Sabah.
"In fact, the foundation for such an economic identity already exists. For example, the Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) now has its own building. That is an important achievement, just like other chambers of commerce.
"This is the kind of economic identity we want to build — one with its own strength and assets as a business community," he told reporters after officiating the Cultural & Business Exhibition at DCCI Building here today.
The exhibition was jointly organised by DCCI and KCCI in conjunction with the 17th Gawai-Kaamatan celebration, featuring 82 entrepreneurs from Sabah and Sarawak showcasing a wide range of products.
Ewon said DCCI's success in building the Dayak community's economic identity should inspire indigenous entrepreneurs in Sabah to aim higher.
"I respect and am inspired by DCCI's achievement in building that economic identity. However, I believe we can do even better.
"For example, do we have companies listed on Bursa Malaysia with the participation of the Kadazandusun or Dayak communities? Have we established businesses in international markets? Have we ventured into strategic industries such as artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors, which are now driving the global economy?
"That is what I mean by economic identity," he said.
Ewon said indigenous communities must continue to preserve their ethnic identity, language, culture and customs while simultaneously developing globally competitive businesses.
"While preserving our ethnic identity, language, culture and customs, we must also emerge as a world-class business community that remains proud of its roots and identity while building businesses capable of competing with entrepreneurs around the world.
"That is the vision I want to see for our community. I come from an indigenous community myself, and I want to see my people possess economic strength that is on par with any community in the world," he said.
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