KOTA KINABALU, Sept 4 (Bernama) -- Sabah International Expo 2026 (SIE2026) recorded participation from 15 countries, reflecting the confidence and interest of the international business community in Sabah as a destination for trade, investment and business cooperation.
Deputy Chief Minister III cum Sabah Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transportation Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said the international participation also strengthened the aspirations of SIE2026 through the theme “Sabah - Your Gateway to Global Opportunities.”
“This international participation is a strong indicator of the growing interest in Sabah as a destination for trade, investment and business cooperation.
“SIE2026 is not merely an exhibition, but a platform for us to connect markets, build cooperation, create opportunities and increase value,” he said at a press conference after officiating the SIE2026 Opening Ceremony at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), here today.
The 15 countries participating in SIE2026 are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, China, Denmark, Finland, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia (Peninsular), the Philippines, Poland, Singapore, Thailand and Zambia.
Ewon, who is also the SIE2026 Main Organising chairman, said the exhibition provides 300 booths, with about 35 per cent involving international exhibitors including those from the BIMP-EAGA region.
He said about 10,000 trade visitors, delegates, participants and visitors are expected to attend the three-day main SIE2026 exhibition from today until Sunday, and estimated potential sales and business transactions of up to RM10 million.
“This is a platform for local Sabah entrepreneurs to market their products and services as well as explore potential trade cooperation with delegates from overseas.
“At the same time, we in Sabah welcome the presence of international exhibitors, particularly from the BIMP-EAGA region involving Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and the Philippines,” he said.
He also expressed confidence that SIE2026 will achieve excellent results, including opening up more opportunities for trade cooperation, investment and business networking for Sabah entrepreneurs.
Earlier, in his speech, Ewon said the true value of SIE2026 lies not only in the number of exhibitors or visitors but in the business relationships and cooperation successfully established through the platform.
“In the end, the success of an exhibition is not only measured based on the number of booths or visitors who attend, but rather it is measured through business transactions concluded, cooperation established, investments generated and opportunities created for the people,” he said.
He said Sabah wants to position itself as the gateway to Borneo, a bridge to BIMP-EAGA and a platform for businesses to access regional and international markets.
SIE2026 main programmes include the 3rd BIMP-EAGA Halal Trade, Investment and Industry Conference, which brings together about 300 delegates to discuss trade and investment opportunities as well as developments in the halal economy.
SIE2026 also features the Sabah International Business Luncheon Talk, featuring Sunway Group Founder and Chairman Tan Sri Sir Dr Jeffrey Cheah, who shared his leadership experience and business journey with about 700 participants.
-- BERNAMA