CoopFest Borneo 2026 strengthens the cooperative movement in Sabah, Sarawak

KINABALU CITY: CoopFest Borneo 2026 is seen as a strategic platform to promote cooperative products and services, expand market access and strengthen business networks among the cooperative movements, especially in Sabah and Sarawak.

The Malaysian Cooperative Commission (MCC)'s programme reflects its ongoing commitment to strengthen the cooperative movement as a driver of inclusive, sustainable and competitive economic growth.

Deputy Chief Minister III Sabah, Datuk Ewon Benedick said the state government greatly appreciated the efforts taken by the Ministry of Cooperative Development and Entrepreneurship (KUSKOP) and SKM to channel development aid totaling RM1.19 million to 16 cooperatives in Sabah for 2026.

He also said that a sum of RM5.3 million was channelled through SKM's Round Capital Fund which benefited the two cooperatives.

"At the MINDET level (Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Transport Sabah), we have also started an initiative to channel support to cooperative movements under the MINDET entrepreneurship development special fund.

"The first phase, two cooperatives have already received grants so far while the second phase will be decided in the near future.

"For the budget 2027, we will submit a proposal to Sabah Finance Minister, Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun to get some allocations under the State Government Fund to help complete MINDET's efforts in developing cooperative movement in Sabah", he said.

He said this at a press conference after the launch of CoopFest Borneo 2026 in Sabah's Surya Belah Purchase Centre, here today.

Deputy Minister of Entrepreneurship and Cooperative Development, Datuk Mohamad Alamin was also present.

Ewon said the programme is expected to be continued in future to ensure more cooperatives in Sabah and Sarawak benefit through experience sharing, business network expansion and better market access.

Ewon who is also the Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transportation Sabah said that the state government has always supported and helped expand the implementation of cooperative development initiatives, thus increasing the potential of the sector as a catalyst for social economic growth. - TVS