Sabah Products Go Global

The National Jom Beli Produk Malaysia (JOM MALAYSIA) Movement will propel Sabah-made products and brands to the international stage, in line with the "local to global" aspiration.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said that the aspirations championed by JOM MALAYSIA are well aligned with the State Government's economic development agenda, which emphasises sustainable, inclusive and competitive growth through the empowerment of local entrepreneurs and expanded market access.

JOM MALAYSIA is a sales festival and a platform to promote local products. It brings together entrepreneurs, the government, industry players, financial institutions and consumers in building a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem.

"SMJ 2.0 and JOM MALAYSIA share common objectives of empowering local entrepreneurs, increasing the value of products and services, and expanding market access to create more economic opportunities for the people,” Hajiji said at the JOM MALAYSIA Festival 2026 on 25 July 2026 at the Sandakan Sports Complex.

"This synergy will establish a comprehensive development chain, beginning with entrepreneur empowerment, followed by product development and market expansion, in line with the 'local to global' aspiration." It is apt that Sabah is selected as host for the event, Hajiji said. Its population of 3.8 million and its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of RM88.8 billion, with a growth rate of 5.1 per cent, Sabah is potentially one of the largest and most dynamic consumer markets in East Malaysia.

Sabah is also home to a growing community of entrepreneurs producing a wide range of locally branded products with high commercial value, including food, handicrafts, fashion, and creative and innovative products from micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), Hajiji added.

In 2025, local entrepreneurs 124 small and medium enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs from Sabah participated in 18 international trade expos, generating sales worth RM95.9 million, an increase of 37.12 per cent from RM60.4 million in 2024. The State Government has introduced various initiatives, including the SME-UP Assistance Programme with an allocation of RM15 million to develop 600 MSMEs; and the Sabah Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Programme which helped in the commercialisation of local food products through development grants, retort machine assistance and halal certification.

The tourism sector also plays an important role in realising the local to global aspiration. Sabah recorded 3.79 million visitor arrivals and generated RM8.74 billion in tourism receipts in 2025. "Every festival, expo and promotional programme encourages the purchase of local products and provides an avenue to introduce Sabah's identity to tourists from within the country and abroad,” Hajiji said.

"When tourists enjoy our local cuisine, purchase handicrafts, and use our services, they become ambassadors who introduce the Sabah brand to the international stage.” Hajiji proposed that a joint effort by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living and the State Government to expand JOM MALAYSIA to more strategic destinations across Sabah during Visit Sabah Year 2027 to expand the programme's reach to local entrepreneurs.

Datuk Ewon Benedick, Deputy Chief Minister III and Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport, delivered the CM/s speech.