SHENZHEN, China: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Haji Noor has invited  Chinese investors to explore the Blue Economy concept in collaboration with the Sabah  state government to develop the food processing sector. 

"We will implement this concept that calls for sustainable use of ocean resources for  economic development, generate jobs and improve livelihood.  

"Sabah has the longest coastline in Malaysia, with more than 1,000 km for fish farming  and other marine products. There is vast potential in this area for win-win partnerships,"  he said. 

Leading a trade mission delegation from Sabah to the "Business and Investment  Opportunities in Sabah" Global Chinese Economic and Technology Summit (GCET) at  the Futian Shangri-La here, Hajiji said the Sabah State Government would be organising  a Blue Economy International Conference in February next year. 

The Chief Minister said Chinese investors should consider the energy sector,  encompassing traditional sources like fossil fuels and emerging renewable options like  solar and wind energy. 

"By investing in the energy sector, you play a pivotal role in ensuring a reliable power  supply while contributing to a more sustainable energy future. While oil and gas will  provide an important revenue stream for the state, we also welcome investors to explore  renewables such as solar and storage technologies, hydro, geothermal, and carbon  market opportunities in Sabah," he said. 

Hajiji said that there are also abundant investment and business opportunities in oil and  gas in Sabah.  

"This industry has developed rapidly in the last two years because my government has  successfully negotiated for greater control of the production and supply of oil and gas  with the national oil company, PETRONAS.  

"Sabah's stake in the oil and gas resources will further increase with more wells coming  on stream. There is a tremendous potential for further investment and business  opportunities in the down-stream manufacturing and support services," he said.

Hajiji said Chinese investors should also consider investment and business opportunities  in developing 5-star hotels, boutique resorts, and high-end tourism products and  developing Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (M.I.C.E) business.  

"Now that normalcy has returned to the tourism industry, my government has launched  a tourism recovery campaign to attract tourists back to Sabah. China is only between  three to five hours away from Sabah.  

"To date, Sabah is connected to major cities – Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzen, Guangzhou,  Hangzhou and Macau, among others in China with 63 weekly flights and a seating  capacity of 11,360. We hope to see more air connectivity to increase visitor arrivals to  Sabah," he said. 

He disclosed that the Sabah government was also actively working on strategies to  boost the state's tourism sector further, such as the development of the Sabah Cultural  Park and the introduction of the 'Sabah My Second Home' Programme.  

Hajiji also personally welcome investors to discuss the establishment of new industries. 

"My government is prepared to look into tailor-made policies for new industries for the  right investors," he said. 

Also present were State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk  Phoong Jin Zhe, Chairman of Invest Sabah, Tan Sri Anifah Aman, State Secretary Datuk  Seri Panglima Sr Safar Untong and Chairman of the Sabah Economic Advisory Council, Tan  Sri David Chu.  

The Global Chinese Economic and Technological (GCET) Summit is organised by the  China Development Institute, Shenzhen (CDI) and KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific  (KSI). 

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