MINDET continues to support Sabah companies in entering global markets

10 June 2026

SEOUL, South Korea: The Sabah Ministry of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport (MINDET) will continue to support the growth of local Sabah companies through existing and new initiatives aimed at improving the international competitiveness of Sabah enterprises.

Its minister, who also serves as Sabah’s Deputy Chief Minister III, Datuk Ewon Benedick, said the effort is important to ensure more local firms succeed in penetrating global markets and scaling up their businesses.

“I am proud that more Sabah companies are now breaking into global markets, with revenues reaching millions to tens of millions of ringgit a year."

“Their success creates more job opportunities for local people and helps build supply chains and support services around their businesses,” he said.

He made the remarks after officiating the simple opening ceremony of the Sabah Pavilion at the Seoul Food & Hotel Expo 2026 at the Korea International Exhibition Centre (KINTEX) here the day before yesterday.

Eight Sabah companies took part in the expo, Kerupuk Lelek Enterprise Sdn Bhd, Yuly Global International Sdn Bhd, Aryana Food Sdn Bhd, Hong Xin Food Sdn Bhd, RDS Juta Food Industries Sdn Bhd, Norcy Beautylab Sdn Bhd, BTC Corporation Sdn Bhd and Takahari Marketing Sdn Bhd.

Ewon also expressed his appreciation to all parties who have continued to help expand the reach of Sabah products and services internationally.

He said the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) plays an important role in facilitating local companies’ access to global markets through various trade promotion and export development programmes.

He added that Sabah companies’ participation in the Seoul Food & Hotel Expo 2026 is expected to open up more trade, investment and business networking opportunities, thereby strengthening the presence of Sabah products and brands in world markets.

Earlier, Ewon attended the official opening ceremony of the Seoul Food & Hotel Expo 2026 with the rest of the Sabah delegation.

The expo featured more than 3,400 booths representing 1,800 companies from 49 countries, including Malaysia, which presented the Sabah Pavilion. This year’s event was the 44th edition.

Ewon, together with other guests representing various countries and foreign embassies, took part in the expo’s official opening.

Also on the working visit were MINDET Secretary-General Datuk Thomas Logijin, KKIP CEO Cecilia Amid, SEDCO Group General Manager Datuk Ar James Wong Kein Peng, Invest Sabah Bhd CEO Kevin Ukang, and MINDET officers and agency representatives.