Explore alternative platforms for businesses entrepreneurs urged

7 April 2025

KOTA KINABALU : The ASEAN Chamber of Commerce (ACCI) Sabah Chapter is urging local entrepreneurs to explore alternative platforms and markets to sustain their businesses following the United States' imposition of reciprocal tariffs of up to 24 per cent on this country.

The President of ACCI Sabah, Datuk Nordin Ening, agrees with the President of ACCI Malaysia, Dato Sohaimi Shahdan, that identified markets with significant potential for local entrepreneurs include ASEAN countries, Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East.

“We need to look towards more open and stable markets, where ASEAN countries, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa offer substantial opportunities for Malaysian products, particularly in the halal sector, food, technology and services, tourism, and education.

ACCI Sabah is planning bilateral trade between Kazakhstan and Sabah in collaboration with the Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment.

“Kazakhstan is a double landlocked country, and its people have a great thirst for the beauty of the islands and beaches found in Sabah,” said Nordin, noting that there are currently direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Almaty, Kazakhstan.

“The government needs to look more broadly at new markets to assist Malaysian entrepreneurs. The US market can no longer be relied upon,” he stated in a press release today.