KOTA KINABALU: The Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) Sdn Bhd has done well as it has attracted over RM3 billion worth of investments, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.
He said the investments entailed the setting up of 15 training, research and development institutes as well as 261 factories, creating over 7,000 jobs.
“KKIP remains the sole general industrial park in Sabah but faced with stiff competition from other emerging industrial parks, it needs to continuously transform itself,” he said in his keynote address at the KKIP Sdn Bhd’s 20th anniversary dinner here on Saturday night.
The challenge, he said, is to maintain a leadership position so that it continues to be the first choice for both investors and visitors.
“The impact of globalization and competition from regional industrial hubs also requires this company to consistently think out of the box,” he stressed.
Musa, who is also Sabah Finance Minister, added while striving to maintain its pole position as first choice industrial park, KKIP should share its experience with other industrial parks to serve as a catalyst of change and innovation on a broader scale.
He said before KKIP was established, the site used to be an empty vast tract of land.
“I am impressed that the development has adhered closely to the master plan,” he said.
In his speech, Musa applauded the board and management of KKIP Sdn Bhd for the company’s splendid achievements since its establishment in 1994.
Musa, who was the first chairman of KKIP, recalled that the park’s main focus back then was to develop its infrastructure.
“At that time, we cited ‘cheap labour’ as one of Sabah’s competitive advantages. We later realised that we need to exploit our comparable advantages, such as our strategic location in the region, and the availability of raw materials that our competitors do not have.
“With a strong commercial focus, KKIP Sdn Bhd has become a catalyst in providing businesses with networking, services and investment opportunities, he said.
Despite numerous obstacles, Musa said 20 years had passed and the company had achieved much progress.
“Today, the company can be proud that it has built a beautiful and well-managed integrated township with thriving industrial activities, excellent infrastructure with good quality environment in which residents work and live,” he added.
On the Sabah Development Corridor, Musa said that most of the projects were on track and the initiatives listed under the Economic Transformation Programme were also doing well.
Also present during the event were Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid and KKIP chief executive officer Dr Tarsiah T Z Taman.
Earlier, Jainab, who is also KKIP deputy chairman, said that KKIP should carry out a comprehensive review to accommodate a halal hub cluster in its master plan.
She explained that once the cluster is certified by the Halal Industry Development Corporation, small and medium scale enterprises should take advantage of the spillover from the halal industry.