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SEMPORNA: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said Semporna is a key catalyst for Sabah’s economic transformation through the Blue Economy agenda under the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan.

He said the district’s potential could generate wide economic spillover effects if managed strategically, benefiting both the local community and the State as a whole.

Speaking at a dinner held in conjunction with his working visit for the Esszone Security Inspection here on Wednesday, Hajiji said Semporna had already become a benchmark in sustainable marine tourism through initiatives such as the visitor quota system at Sipadan Island and the community-based tourism model at Tun Sakaran Marine Park.

He said the State Government is intensifying efforts to modernise the marine aquaculture sector through integrated commercial-scale aquaculture zones, modern sea cage technology, support for seaweed entrepreneurs and investments in downstream seafood processing, alongside upgrades to jetties, logistics, cold chain systems and tourism facilities.

Hajiji said all development in Semporna must be guided by sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles, adding that the district has the potential to become a world-class sustainable marine tourism hub, a modern aquaculture centre and a leading premium seafood producer for the country.