LOCAL COMPANIES MUST STRENGTHEN COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS - EWON

KOTA KINABALU, Feb 7 (Bernama) -- Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick has urged companies in the state to strengthen their compliance with international standards.

Ewon, who is also the State Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport, said data from the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) Singapore showed that only 261 out of 12,742 Malaysian enterprises registered with the agency were from Sabah as of December last year.

“Through compliance with international standards such as halal and MeSTI (food safety) certifications and environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles, local companies will be better prepared to penetrate overseas markets,” he told reporters after officiating at the Sabah Industrial Excellence Awards (AKIS) presentation ceremony here today.

Ewon said the ministry will continue to support the needs of local entrepreneurs and companies through appropriate policies and initiatives, including ensuring the provision of support to bring products and services to international markets.

He added that the ministry’s focus areas include the development of the standards and quality of Sabah entrepreneurs’ products and services.

At the ceremony, six local companies were honoured based on their respective achievements: Brown Eyes Production, The Best Solution Management Sdn Bhd, Twinine Sdn Bhd, Kedai Emas Osheen Jaya Sdn Bhd, Onaki Sdn Bhd, and Jetsin Sdn Bhd.

The Penampang Member of Parliament said that AKIS is an important platform to recognise local companies that demonstrate outstanding achievements and to serve as examples for other industry players in Sabah.

“AKIS not only recognises the excellence of local companies and entrepreneurs but also encourages healthy competition, boosts investor confidence, and highlights good management and operational practices,” he said.

-- BERNAMA