KOTA KINABALU: The opening of the multi-billion ringgit Sabah Kibing Solar New Materials (M) Sdn Bhd Factory is a testament to the success of the State Government’s Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Development Plan, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor
He said the high-impact investment venture was an example of what can be achieved when the government, private sector, and the community unite with a shared vision.
“This is a result of our collective efforts in the form of economic development and employment opportunities for the benefit of Sabah and her people,” he said at the grand
opening of the world-class factory at the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) near here
today.
The Chief Minister said the State Government is serious about ensuring that investing
in Sabah is as seamless as possible.
“For this to happen, we have taken proactive steps by establishing a dedicated
investment task force committed to facilitating and streamlining the investment process.
This task force is designed to provide comprehensive support, guidance, and a
conducive environment for investors to thrive and succeed,” he said.
In the case of the Kibing Group venture, he said the task force had expedited the factory’s operational commencement to under 24 months since the initial agreement was signed in January 2022.
“This achievement underscores the dedicated efforts of the task force, tirelessly working
in synergy with various government departments and agencies to transform this investment into a reality here in Sabah.
“I wish to emphasise the State Government’s commitment to facilitate investments into
Sabah. We are resolute in our mission to create an environment that attracts more investors, such as this Kibing venture to Sabah.
“These investments are not just about numbers on a financial ledger. They are about
creating employment, fostering innovation and improving the lives of our people,” he
said.
Hajiji recalled his visit to the Kibing’s first glass factory at the Tuanku Jaafar Industrial
Area in Negeri Sembilan two years ago on an invitation from Kibing Group chairman Yu
Qi Bing and President Dato’ Lim Swee Ee where the chairman informed him that the
Kibing Group was keen to invest its state-of-the-art innovative solar glass manufacturing
factory in Sabah.
“Today, the project has become a reality. Thank you to our esteemed Chinese investment partner, the Kibing Group, for their unwavering confidence and commitment in bringing the first phase of this project costing RM3 billion to fruition with the establishment of this cutting-edge solar glass manufacturing factory right here at the KKIP,” he said.
He said the significance of this endeavour cannot be overstated.
“With an impressive annual production capacity of 440,000 tons of solar glass, Sabah
has now positioned itself as one of the prominent players in Malaysia’s solar glass
manufacturing industry, and we are poised to make significant contributions to the
renewable energy sector.
“This achievement not only promises economic growth but also underscores our
commitment to sustainability and green technology,” he said.
The venture also created job opportunities, with 1,100, or more than 80 per cent of its
1,300 workers, being Sabahans, he said.
“This has not only strengthened our local workforce but has also enriched the livelihoods
of our citizens, providing them with stable employment,” he said.
Hajiji was optimistic that the Kibing Group would continue to thrive and play an instrumental role in contributing to Sabah’s long-term prosperity.
The Sabah Government, on its part, remained committed to extending its welcome to
investors such as the Kibing Group from China, acknowledging the invaluable role they
play in the economic growth and development of the state.
“The Sabah government will continue to be an investor-friendly destination, committed
to expedite economic growth and development,” he said.-pr/BNN
