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Kota Kinabalu: State development arm Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) secretariat has set up a task force to serve as a coordinated platform to prioritise key business and industry concerns.

Among others, it will also engage with industry representatives.

The task force was set up following a Direction of the Sabah Maju Jaya Development Plan (SMJ 2.0: 2026-2030) forum held in Tuaran recently.

According to the SMJ secretariat, the task force would translate stakeholder feedback into actionable policy inputs for SMJ 2.0 implementation, support inter- agency coordination to reduce policy silos and engage continuously with industry representatives to ensure alignment over the 2026-2030 planning horizon.

In a statement yesterday, the secretariat said the townhall session involved representatives from major industry associations, chambers of commerce, professional bodies, youth business leaders, SME entrepreneurs and policymakers.

The session was meant to provide structured feedback on Sabah’s economic direction for the next five years.

It said key discussions also covered private sector competitiveness, youth entrepreneurship, venture capital and digital economy, talent development, regulatory efficiency and investment readiness under SMJ 2.0.

Participants welcomed the open and consultative platform, noting that the townhall session enabled frank and solution-oriented dialogue between policymakers and the business community.

During the session, industry leaders highlighted the need for stronger policy coordination between state agencies and industry, faster regulatory turnaround times for investors and SMEs, clearer implementation pathways for digital economy, innovation and youth entrepreneurship.

It also suggested a more structured public-private collaboration mechanism to ensure continuity and accountability under SMJ 2.0.

The discussion outcomes will be documented and launched by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor on Jan 30, the secretariat revealed.

The business community said that while Sabah’s long-term vision was clear, execution speed and cross-agency alignment will be decisive in determining outcomes over the next five years.

The forum reaffirmed the shared commitment of the government and industries to work collaboratively in building a resilient, competitive and inclusive Sabah economy, with the task force expected to play a key role in shaping outcomes over the next five years, the secretariat added.