Phoong (third left) officiating the opening of Sabah Pavilion. KOTA KINABALU (Aug 26): The Sabah State Government has taken a strategic step towards elevating the presence of its local products on the global stage by establishing the Sabah Pavilion at the Hong Kong Food Expo Pro (HKDTC), one of the largest food exhibitions in Asia. Led by Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Phoong Jin Zhe, the Sabah delegation featured eight local companies showcasing a diverse range of specialty food products.
This debut Sabah Pavilion in Hong Kong underscores the state’s commitment to helping local SMEs expand their market reach internationally. Among the participating companies are Taluwang Sdn Bhd, known for its ice cream bars (Ais Kream Potong), Hong Xin Food Sdn Bhd with its healthy tempeh snacks, Borneo Crocodile Center Sdn Bhd offering a variety of crocodile-based food products, Firebull Sdn Bhd specializing in cooked beef products, Aryana Food Sdn Bhd showcasing dried fish and packaged anchovies, NS Field Sdn Bhd with its unique green honey, Norcy Beauty Lab featuring packaged health fruit juices like pineapple juice, and Bailina Food Products known for its packaged fruit snacks. The Sabah Pavilion garnered an overwhelming response during the first two days, attracting significant interest from visitors and business entities.
This enthusiastic reception is a clear reflection of the quality and marketability of Sabah’s products on the international stage. Collectively, the eight local companies recorded potential sales of RM6.95 million, highlighting the promising commercial prospects of Sabah’s SMEs.
“This initiative is part of our continuous strategy to assist local businesses in scaling up, enhancing their competitiveness, and positioning Sabah as an export-oriented economy,” said Phoong. “By participating in international exhibitions and facilitating the presence of our local businesses, we are opening doors for Sabahan SMEs to venture into global markets and strengthen their business growth.” During the event, Phoong also engaged in productive discussions with influential figures, including Agnes Chan, chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, and Peter Lam Kin-ngok, chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.
The dialogues focused on strengthening trade relations between Sabah and Hong Kong and exploring new export opportunities, particularly for Sabah’s seafood and halal products. The Hong Kong Food Expo Pro, which hosts 1,800 booths from numerous countries, provides a vital platform for Sabah to introduce its premium products to the world. The success of the Sabah Pavilion demonstrates the potential for local SMEs to thrive in international markets and contribute significantly to the state’s economic progress.
The Sabah State Government is committed to leveraging the positive outcomes from this expo and will continue to support local businesses in their efforts to explore and penetrate new markets..
