Strengthening Investor Engagement through Business Events in Sabah

Datuk Joniston Bangkuai receiving the activation card from a robot to launch the BE in Sabah 2026 at SICC today.

4 February 2026

KOTA KINABALU: The State Government will continue to support Business Events aligned with the state’s economic direction, strengthening regional engagement and investment dialogue.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor said, “We will leverage this platform to expand cross-border collaboration and connect regional capabilities with global networks. As global expectations evolve, Sabah’s direction remains clear and focused."

“We will continue to raise standards and structure partnerships by prioritising implementation and delivery,” he said in his address at the Third International Business Events Forum (BE in Sabah) 2026 at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here today.

His speech was delivered by the Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.

He said the State Government recognises Business Events as a key driver of Sabah’s economic and development agenda, serving as a focused platform that stimulates industry growth, facilitates investment discussions, and encourages local participation, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises, professionals and young talent.

“Outcomes such as these are critically important as we pursue inclusive, balanced, realistic and sustainable growth,” he said, adding that Sabah’s development strategy is anchored on stability, good governance and long-term value creation.

“We understand that investor confidence and international trust are not generated merely through announcements, but through consistent policies, clear direction and reliable execution. In this context, Business Events act as a strategic bridge between policy and implementation, global expertise and local capabilities, as well as delivery,” he said.

In this regard, he said platforms such as BE in Sabah provide important opportunities for direct engagement with international industry leaders, while enhancing the capacity and sophistication of the state’s local ecosystem.

Hajiji said Sabah occupies a strategic position in Eastern ASEAN, a sub-region characterised by shared economic interests, complementary strengths and significant potential for cooperation.

“We are committed to constructive engagement within this regional landscape, strengthening connectivity, fostering partnerships and supporting high-impact platforms that deliver practical outcomes,” he said.

He said the hosting of the event at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), a purpose-built facility capable of accommodating large-scale and complex gatherings, reflects the state’s commitment to enhancing service readiness, improving institutional coordination and strengthening industry capabilities to ensure that every event demonstrates excellence and professionalism.

The Sabah Convention Bureau (SCB), operating under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment, further reinforces this enabling environment by working closely with the industry to create a reliable interface for international events, he said.

“To international delegates, Sabah is ready, coordinated and prepared for engagement. To our local and regional partners, this forum reflects the State Government’s standards-driven approach and our unwavering commitment to delivery,” he said.