By Mohd Khairy Abdullah
KOTA KINABALU (Malaysia), Feb 7, 2026 — The Sabah government has urged more local companies to strengthen compliance with international standards to enhance competitiveness and expand access to global markets.
Deputy Chief Minister III and Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport, Datuk Ewon Benedick, said adherence to global standards is a fundamental requirement for Sabah-based products and services to penetrate international markets, including Singapore.
According to data from the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) Singapore as of December 2025, only 261 companies from Sabah are registered out of a total 12,742 Malaysian companies.
“This figure underscores the need for scaled-up and focused efforts to develop local products and services that meet international market requirements and standards,” he said.
Ewon said strengthening product and service standards remains a core priority of his ministry, particularly through compliance with international certifications such as Halal, MESTI, and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG).
He was speaking to reporters after officiating the Sabah Industry Excellence Awards (AKIS) ceremony here on Thursday.
Ewon said the ministry will continue to support local entrepreneurs and companies through targeted policies and initiatives, including assistance to bring products and services into international markets.
He also highlighted packaging as a strategic element in global marketing, noting that ministry-led guidance has resulted in marked improvements in packaging quality and increased sales performance among programme participants.
In line with the Sabah First Vision, Ewon said scaling up small and medium enterprises (SMEs) remains a key focus, with emphasis on increasing production capacity and strengthening product and service quality and standards.
On AKIS, he said the recognition is expected to serve as a catalyst for award recipients and other companies to sustain strong performance, enhance innovation and emerge as globally competitive industry players, in line with Sabah’s aspiration to become an industrial state by 2040.
