Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Finance Assistant Minister Datuk Ben Chong reaffirmed the State Government’s recognition of the Chinese business community as a vital cornerstone of Sabah’s economic stability and growth.
Speaking during a high-level courtesy call by the Sabah Chinese Economic Conference (SCEC) at the latter’s office recently, Ben emphasised that the Government remains committed to supporting private-sector initiatives that align with the “Sabah Maju Jaya” vision to drive regional prosperity.
The primary objective of the meeting was to brief the Assistant Minister on the SCEC’s strategic roadmap and to formally invite him as guest of Honour for the upcoming “Exploring the Economic Outlook for the Chinese in Sabah 2026 Forum.
The landmark event is designed to synchronise local business expertise with global resources, specifically focusing on Sabah-China trade cooperation to catalyse transformation in tourism, higher education and the SME sector.
The forum, scheduled Feb 7 at 1pm at the New Hong Hing Seafood Restaurant (KDCA), Penampang will feature six distinguished speakers who will provide deep insights into Sabah’s future economic landscape:
- Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee: New Landscape of Geo-economics and Regional Cooperation.
- Lawyer Roland Cheng: Marine Resources of Continental Sabah.
- Eason Len (Sabah Invest): Investment Environment and New Economic Opportunities in Sabah.
- Datuk Frankie Liew: China’s Economic Development Trends and Opportunities for Sabah.
- Professor Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Wong Ken Thau: Synergy between Educational Innovation and Economic Development.
- Datuk Seri Winston Liaw: Innovation and Sustainable Development in Tourism.
Ben commended the SCEC for its proactive role in organising a platform that fosters intellectual and economic exchange.
He noted that such forums are essential for uniting the business community and assisting the government in navigating the complexities of a changing global economy.
Organising Chairman Prof. Dato Sri Wilson Yong highlighted that the 2026 Forum is intended as a practical networking platform.
By involving entities like the Ministry of Finance and Sabah Invest, he said the SCEC aims to provide entrepreneurs with direct access to strategic policy directions, government economic incentives, and emerging foreign investment opportunities.
Yong said the delegation reflected the strength and unity of Sabah’s business leaders, including:
- Datuk Jimmy Tham (Business Veteran), Datuk Frankie Liew (President, Sabah-China Chamber of Commerce),Datuk Seri Winston Liaw (President, Sabah Tour and Tourism Association), Dr. Deledda Tan (President, SME Association of Sabah), Dato George Lim (President, Sabah Entrepreneurs Transformation Association), Datuk Philip Yong (Chairman, Sabah Maritime Silk Road Society), and Hu Zhijuan (Secretary-General, SCEC).
Additional representatives include Tan Khoon Lin, Dr. Damian Lee, James Yong, Wong Jun Yin, Liew Pui Yee, Redzwan Kong, and Cristina Tham.
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