Ewon, who represent the Chief Minister, posing for a group photograph with invited guests and members of the public during the opening ceremony of the JOM MALAYSIA-Sabah Festival at the Sandakan Sports Complex today.
SANDAKAN: The National Buy Malaysian Products Movement (JOM MALAYSIA) is expected to serve as a catalyst in elevating Sabah-made products and brands to the international market, in line with the ‘local to global’ aspiration under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 2.0 roadmap.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said the aspirations championed by JOM MALAYSIA are closely aligned with the State Government’s economic development agenda, which emphasises sustainable, inclusive and competitive growth through the empowerment of local entrepreneurs and the expansion of market access.
He said JOM MALAYSIA is more than just a sales festival or a platform to promote local products. Rather, it is a strategic movement that connects entrepreneurs, the government, industry players, financial institutions and consumers in building a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“SMJ 2.0 and JOM MALAYSIA share the same objective of empowering local entrepreneurs, enhancing the value of products and services, and expanding market access to create greater economic opportunities for the people.
“This synergy will establish a comprehensive development chain, from entrepreneur empowerment and product development to market expansion, in line with the ‘local to global’ aspiration,” he said when officiating at the JOM MALAYSIA Festival 2026 at the Sandakan Sports Complex today. His speech was read by Deputy Chief Minister III cum Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick.
Hajiji said Sabah’s selection as one of the festival venues reflects recognition of the State’s economic strengths and the Federal Government’s confidence in Sabah’s potential as a key driver of economic growth in East Malaysia.
He said Sabah is not only rich in cultural diversity, heritage and natural resources, but is also home to a growing community of entrepreneurs producing a wide range of locally branded products with high commercial value, including food, handicrafts, fashion, as well as creative and innovative products from micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
According to him, with an estimated population of 3.8 million last year and a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of RM88.8 billion, recording growth of 5.1 per cent, Sabah has emerged as one of the largest and most dynamic consumer markets in East Malaysia.
On the international potential of Sabah products, Hajiji said the achievements recorded by local entrepreneurs over the past year demonstrate that the State’s products are capable of competing in global markets.
He said a total of 124 Sabah small and medium industry (SMI) entrepreneurs participated in 18 international trade expos in 2025, generating potential sales worth RM95.9 million, an increase of 37.12 per cent from RM60.4 million the previous year.
“This achievement proves that Sabah-made products possess the quality, uniqueness and competitiveness needed to penetrate global markets. That is why JOM MALAYSIA should be viewed as a platform capable of creating greater opportunities for local entrepreneurs to grow and expand their market reach,” he said.
To further strengthen the State’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, Hajiji said the Sabah Government, through SMJ 2.0, has introduced various initiatives, including the SME-UP Assistance Programme spearheaded by the Department of Industrial Development and Research (DIDR), with an allocation of RM15 million to develop 600 MSMEs.
In addition, the Sabah Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Programme has been introduced to help commercialise local food products through development grants, retort machine assistance and halal certification support to improve marketability.
Hajiji said both initiatives complement the aspirations of JOM MALAYSIA by developing competitive entrepreneurs and preparing locally produced goods for both domestic and international markets.
Meanwhile, he said the tourism sector also plays a vital role in realising the ‘local to global’ aspiration, particularly in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026 and Visit Sabah Year 2027.
He noted that Sabah recorded 3.79 million visitor arrivals and generated RM8.74 billion in tourism receipts last year, highlighting the sector’s significant potential as a catalyst for promoting local products and services.
“Every festival, expo and promotional programme not only encourages the purchase of local products but also provides an opportunity to introduce Sabah’s identity to both domestic and international visitors.
“When tourists enjoy local cuisine, purchase handicrafts, use local services or take home Sabah-made products, they effectively become ambassadors who introduce the Sabah brand to the international stage. This is the true ‘local to global’ aspiration that we seek to achieve together,” he said.
In this regard, Hajiji proposed that the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), together with the State Government, consider organising JOM MALAYSIA in more strategic locations across Sabah during Visit Sabah Year 2027 to widen the programme’s reach among local entrepreneurs while strengthening the promotion of Sabah products to both domestic and international tourists.
