XINGTAI: Sabah is strengthening its international infrastructure and water industry partnerships through strategic industry engagement with China to position the State as an emerging regional hub for water infrastructure and engineering collaboration.
The initiative is led by Sabah Plumbers Association (SPA) under its President Dr Carmen Wong Wui Meng, who recently headed an official delegation to Xingtai Road and Bridge Construction Group in Hebei Province.
The delegation was received by the company’s General Manager Wang Qingjie and discussions focused on potential cooperation in water infrastructure development, urban drainage engineering, wastewater solutions and sustainable infrastructure technologies relevant to Sabah’s future development needs.
Dr Wong was accompanied by Carl Moosom, representing the Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). During the two-day official working visit, Dr Wong and her delegation were given extensive technical briefings and site inspections showcasing the group’s engineering capabilities and industrial ecosystem.
The delegation visited several ongoing infrastructure project sites, including the company’s patented environmental technology known as the Assembled Integrated Sewage Treatment Equipment, a modular wastewater treatment solution designed for efficient and scalable deployment.
They were also introduced to the group’s concrete engineering innovations and advanced road pavement casting technologies, including modern drainage-integrated road construction systems designed to minimise water accumulation and improve storm water management in urban environments.
Dr Wong said such engineering practices could provide valuable insights for Sabah, particularly in addressing drainage challenges and strengthening flood mitigation capabilities.
“Sabah must move towards smarter infrastructure development. Future cities must be built with resilient systems capable of managing water resources effectively and sustainably,” she said.
Further visits included the group’s diversified industrial operations such as its drinking water production and bottling facilities located within its integrated jujube agricultural industrial park, demonstrating the group’s diversified business ecosystem.
The delegation also inspected steel fabrication and structural engineering facilities, observing the company’s manufacturing capabilities in bridge structures, drainage systems and highway components, which support infrastructure development across multiple regions of China.
The visit forms part of SPA’s international engagement programme ahead of the Plumbing Asia 2026 – Expo & Conference scheduled to be held in Kota Kinabalu in April 2026.
The regional event is expected to bring together government agencies, engineering firms, investors and technology providers from across Asia.
A key component of this strategy is the Asian Trade Gallery, a regional industry collaboration platform initiated by SPA and jointly organised with KCCI. The platform aims to connect Sabah companies with Asian investors, manufacturers and technology providers.
“Our objective is not only to attract foreign investment, but to ensure Sabah companies — especially Bumiputera enterprises — benefit from technology transfer, partnerships and regional market access,” she said.
Meanwhile, Carl said KCCI sees strong potential in working with industry organisations such as SPA to support inclusive economic growth and strengthen local participation in international trade.
Carl extended invitation to Xintai Construction Group to explore opportunities in Sabah particularly in the industrial parks scattered throughout key major towns in Sabah, the Bimp-Eaga market and railways connectivity.
Theirs is a one-stop construction specialists in earning the highest award accorded by their government proving their transfer of tech is crucial in facilitating inclusive development growth for Sabah namely through SPA and KCCI collaboration, he said.
