Four Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Carnivals Planned for This Year

24 February 2025

KOTA KINABALU: The Ministry of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship (MIDE) has announced plans to organise four Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Carnivals this year.

Permanent Secretary Datuk Thomas Logijin revealed that these carnivals will take place in Tawau, Tuaran, Kudat, and Keningau. During a briefing held in conjunction with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor’s working visit to MIDE, Logijin noted that there are currently 8,031 SME entrepreneurs registered with the Department of Industrial Development and Research (DIDR) under MIDE.

He highlighted a variety of programmes designed to support SMEs in Sabah, including the SME-Up programme, an entrepreneur development course, the Buy Sabah Products campaign, and initiatives aimed at marketing and promoting Sabahan SME products in local supermarkets, Bataras, Kedai Mesra Petronas, and SME Product Centres.

Logijin also mentioned that the ministry has identified 87 entrepreneurs to participate in various trade and world expositions abroad this year, aiming to expose their products to the international market.

In wrapping up his visit to the various ministries, Hajiji commended MIDE for its commendable efforts in attracting both foreign and domestic investments to Sabah while generating income for the SMEs.

"This ministry is vital as it generates income for the state, and according to today’s briefings, it appears that they are working industriously in alignment with the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya," he commented.

He emphasised the importance of systematic planning, stating, "It is crucial that all planning is done methodically and that it is not only beneficial for larger companies but also for SMEs."

The Chief Minister urged MIDE to continue its focus on developing local SMEs and supporting their international exposure.

He further instructed the ministry to advance the proposals for three new industrial parks in Kudat, Beaufort, and Kota Belud. “Sabah will significantly enhance its status once these new industrial parks are operational,” he remarked.

Hajiji received additional briefings from the heads of various agencies under MIDE, including the Sabah Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), KKIP Sdn Bhd, the Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC) in Lahad Datu, the Sabah Oil and Gas Development Corporation (SOGDC), Invest Sabah Berhad, and the Sabah Trade and Tourism Office in Singapore (STTOS).

Present at the meeting were Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, Finance Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun, Rural Development Minister Datuk Jahid Jahim, as well as assistant ministers, departmental heads, and agency representatives.