KOTA KINABALU: Close collaboration between entrepreneurs in Sabah, Malaysia, and Guangzhou, China, is expected to foster a broader business ecosystem and expand market opportunities in both regions.
MCCC Sabah, led by Datuk Dexter Lau, deserves recognition for its active efforts to advance local entrepreneurs’ business prospects and socioeconomic development.
These efforts include organising several business-matching sessions in China, most recently in Guangzhou.
Sabah social activist Mohd Zaki Harry Susanto said the program was carefully planned and carried out with strong commitment, with the aim of providing an effective platform for building cooperation between entrepreneurs in Sabah, Malaysia, and Guangzhou, China.
“I believe MCCC Sabah’s role in organising the trade and business mission is highly significant. It serves as a bridge for entrepreneurs seeking to explore partnerships between Sabah, Malaysia, and Guangzhou, China.
“According to media reports, the business-matching sessions and visits to agricultural and fisheries industrial areas involved around 120 Sabah entrepreneurs. The mission was also personally led by Sabah Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industries (MAFF), Datuk Jamawi Jaafar.
“This large-scale industry visit is a historic milestone for Sabah, particularly for MCCC Sabah,” he said.
Zaki said he was confident the Sabah delegation’s visit to Guangzhou would give MCCC Sabah members in particular, and senior MAFFI officials more broadly, an opportunity to learn from and collaborate with Chinese entrepreneurs.
“With China’s population exceeding one billion, strategic partnerships of this kind can open the door to a vast market. At the same time, we can learn how China applies modern technology, especially in agriculture,” he said.
“I am confident this initiative will deliver economic benefits to both regions by increasing product sales through collaboration among entrepreneurs.
“The cooperation, marked by the signing of five MoUs, is also expected to attract investment in the agricultural industry, where Chinese entrepreneurs have considerable expertise and a strong record of success,” he said.
Zaki explained that although cooperation was already in place, MCCC Sabah could drive further progress by making the most of the business networks and platforms it had established.
“With its extensive network and strong business platform, this MCCC Sabah initiative is certain to have a significant impact. It also supports the goals of Sabah Maju Jaya and a more advanced economy.
“This collaboration will benefit not only the participating entrepreneurs, but also create jobs and strengthen Sabah’s economy,” he said.
Meanwhile, just minutes before bidding Sayonara (再见) to Guangzhou, MCCC Sabah managed to arrange a meeting in Guangzhou between the MAFFI delegation, led by Jamawi, and representatives of two Chinese organisations: the China Association of Disaster Prevention and Jianxi Group-Agri Technology.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Jamawi welcomed the willingness of various Chinese agencies and companies to work with Sabah, particularly in agriculture.
Jamawi also raised concerns about economic restrictions and the need for direct links to support the export of Sabah’s agricultural products to China.
“During the roughly four days we spent in Guangzhou, from the first day to the last, we had discussions, meetings and briefings on how to develop Sabah’s agricultural sector and economy.
“I would like to thank Datuk Dexter, President of MCCC Sabah, for giving us the opportunity to join more than 120 Sabah entrepreneurs. They are all young people, just like Datuk Dexter—still young. This is an opportunity we must seize. China is experiencing rapid economic growth and has a population of around 1.2 billion.
“If our products can enter this market, it will bring greater security and create opportunities to increase the income of our people,” he said.
Datuk Dexter expressed his happiness at the successful organisation of the Sabah delegation’s visit to Guangzhou.
“Today is the final day, and I feel relieved. At the same time, I am very pleased that we have achieved a great deal in bringing this entire trip to a successful close,” he said, adding that if possible, MCCC Sabah would organise this event every year.
Immediately after the press conference, Datuk Dexter and several MCCC Sabah members headed to Xiamen, China, to continue their noble mission in support of the same cause.
