Hajiji trying out the “Gyrocopter” with Mohammad Yusof at the event.
KOTA KINABALU (Aug 6): Sabah is poised to become a hub of technological advancement, with active encouragement and cultivation of innovation, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor.
He emphasised that in today’s rapidly evolving world, the integration of technology and innovation is crucial for economic development.
The government aims to create an ecosystem that supports the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), encourages digital transformation and fosters a culture of innovation in Sabah.
“The state government’s commitment to economic growth is unwavering, with an open-door policy for investors and the exploration of new economic sources, including the Blue Economy, which will bring a new dimension to Sabah’s economy, aligned with the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development roadmap,” he said.
“Our focus now is on creating a conducive environment for business growth, attracting both domestic and foreign investments, and ensuring our workforce is equipped with the necessary skills to meet future demands,” he stated during the inauguration of the “MTDC Road to Growth (R2G) 2024-Sabah” at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) on Tuesday.
Hajiji noted that in the 12th Malaysia Plan and the SMJ Development Roadmap, Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) have been identified as key catalysts for socioeconomic development.
To this end, the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry’s Strategic Plan (2022-2025) has been formulated to guide the implementation of various programmes and initiatives to strengthen the Science, Technology, Innovation and Economy (STIE) ecosystem in Sabah.
Moreover, the Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (SCENIC) will continue various programmes to ensure the continuous development of human capital talents in Sabah, including driving the state’s animation industry as the first licensed Toon Boom Training Centre in Malaysia.
“SCENIC was awarded the Special Award – ‘The Most Impactful Public Agency in Driving Digital Adoption’ at the Top Tech Innovation Award 2022, supported by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI),” he added.
“I hope the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) Road to Growth (R2G) 2024-Sabah programme can help produce more innovative researchers and entrepreneurs,” he emphasised.
Hajiji pointed out that last March, he highlighted the need for Sabah to identify and explore new economic sources, as the state’s future prosperity depends on its ability to innovate and adapt to the ever-changing economic landscape.
“MTDC Road to Growth (R2G) 2024-Sabah is a direct response to that call to action, demonstrating our commitment to discovering and nurturing new pathways for Sabah’s economic growth,” he said.
“SEDIA has acted swiftly and aggressively to drive our state’s economic development. Their dedication to transforming Sabah into a dynamic and prosperous state in line with technological advancements will continue to receive support,” he added.
The state government welcomes MOSTI’s initiative to introduce the Local R&D Products and Services Utilisation Programme (MySTI), an initiative that will benefit entrepreneurs, universities, research institutions and the government by utilising local innovation and R&D products.
Hajiji mentioned that this initiative will also stimulate the growth of local industries, particularly in Sabah, in technology sectors identified as new economic sources.
“I urge all universities, research institutions and entrepreneurs in the state to seize and make the most of these opportunities by registering and obtaining the MySTI logo certification,” he said.
The Chief Minister also expressed hope that the “MTDC Road to Growth (R2G) 2024 Sabah” programme will empower the local workforce with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a technology-based economy and drive innovation that promotes the adoption of advanced technologies and innovative solutions to enhance productivity and competitiveness in various industries in Sabah.
Present at the event were Deputy MOSTI Minister Dato Mohammad Yusof Apdal, Sabah Economic and Investment Authority (SEDIA) Chief Executive Datuk Seri Panlgima Hashim Paijan and Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) Group Chief Executive Officer, Mohammad Hazani Hassan.