Ewon: Kota Belud Industrial Park master plan to be presented to Cabinet

KOTA BELUD (March 26): The Kota Belud Industrial Park Master Plan will be presented to the state Cabinet during its next meeting.

Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick said the Cabinet paper is in line with the Sabah government’s plans to develop new industrial parks in Kota Belud and Kudat to strengthen economic growth.

The Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister said Kota Belud Industrial Park will be managed by Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP), which is an agency under his ministry.

“As the agency entrusted with the mandate to implement this industrial park, we will submit this Cabinet paper, and I am very confident that the Chief Minister (Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor) and other members of the Cabinet will support this proposal, thereby enabling us to begin marketing efforts and attracting investors,” he said at a Hari Raya open house in Kampung Tegudon near here on Wednesday.

He said the Sabah government will hold discussions with large companies, both local and international, to encourage them to invest and establish their operations at the industrial park.

“As one of the assemblymen representing the Kota Belud area, this is certainly a proud achievement as we will be able to provide economic opportunities to the local community—whether for existing entrepreneurs to participate in the service supply chain or for graduates from Kota Belud to work in the industries at the Kota Belud Industrial Park in the future,” he said.

Ewon said he will lead a trade mission overseas and accompany Hajiji, particularly to China, to meet with potential investors.

“This initiative, implemented in collaboration with state and federal government agencies, will strengthen Sabah’s economy, provide job opportunities for graduates, and open up opportunities for local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to participate in the industrial service supply chain,” he said.

He added 13,000 acres have been identified for the development of the industrial park, which will be implemented in phases, subject to the decision of the Sabah Cabinet.

“In terms of location, specifically, the proposed area is situated in the Pintasan state constituency, bordering the districts of Kota Marudu and Kota Belud, and is also near the coastal area of Kota Belud.

“Hopefully, it will receive support from the local community as it is time for Kota Belud to have larger-scale economic activities such as an industrial park that can generate economic growth, in addition to Kota Belud town,” he said.