Kota Kinabalu: Sabah is accelerating its Blue Economy agenda with a RM1 million allocation next year to begin preparing the Kudat Blue Economy Industrial Park Master Plan.
Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the master plan will map out potential priority zones and high-impact opportunities for Sabah’s emerging Blue Economy sector, ensuring sustainable and commercially viable development.
“This master plan is a crucial step in identifying strategic areas that can position Sabah as a leader in the Blue Economy and support long-term economic resilience.
“It will help us chart a development pathway that balances economic growth, environmental protection and sustainable resource management,” he said.
In addition to the Kudat master plan, RM900,000 is allocated to the Sabah Fisheries Department to implement the Fisheries Blue Economy Initiative.
Masidi said the initiative aims to deliver economic and social benefits for present and future generations through programmes that enhance food security, support a healthy marine environment, eradicate poverty and strengthen Sabah’s food supply chain.
“These initiatives are part of our commitment to ensure that the Blue Economy becomes a strong and sustainable pillar of Sabah’s future development,” he added.
Masidi said Sabah has outlined a comprehensive development roadmap to strengthen the Blue Economy through strategic initiatives focused on sustainable marine resource management, science-based innovation and coastal community empowerment.
The State’s main Blue Economy strategy covers marine renewable energy, coral reef restoration, marine waste management, coastal community development and the development of low-carbon and green port infrastructure.
“Through this strategy, Sabah aims to build a sustainable and competitive blue economy investment ecosystem that enhances economic resilience and ensures inclusive, socially impactful growth,” said Masidi.
He stressed that Sabah’s approach is designed to balance development with environmental conservation while uplifting the livelihoods of coastal communities.
Sabah’s Blue Economy momentum accelerated following the Sabah International Blue Economy Conference (Sibec) held on Oct 19–20, 2024, which catalysed multiple initiatives, partnerships and policy frameworks.
Masidi said Sabah’s leadership in the sector was formally recognised when the Prime Minister declared the State as Malaysia’s Blue Economy hub during the 146th Meeting of Menteri Besar and Chief Ministers on July 14, 2025.
Since Sibec 2024, Sabah has recorded several key achievements, including the establishment of the Sabah Blue Economy Council on June 16, 2025, to guide policy direction and oversee implementation.
The State also forged strategic collaborations with Universiti Malaysia Terengganu and international research institutions, such as the Ocean Energy Institute at Saga University, Japan, to support research, technology transfer and renewable energy development in marine-related fields.
Another milestone is the establishment of the Blue Economy and Maritime Security Research Centre at Universiti Malaysia Sabah in November 2024, which functions as a knowledge and innovation hub supporting marine conservation, ocean governance and emerging maritime technologies.
To further strengthen financing capacity for Blue Economy projects, Sabah signed a Blue Financing Memorandum of Understanding with Maybank Group Global Banking on Nov 10, 2025.
The collaboration aims to unlock sustainable investment opportunities and ensure long-term funding for marine conservation, coastal development and ocean-related industries.
Masidi said through this strategy, Sabah aspires to build a sustainable and competitive Blue Economy investment ecosystem, thereby enhancing economic resilience and ensuring inclusive, socially impactful growth that balances development and environmental conservation.
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