BEAUFORT – A “satellite shop” selling local products opened here today, aimed at promoting and marketing Sabah’s cottage industry.
Over 500 small and medium enterprises from Beaufort, as well as nearby Papar, Kuala Penyu and Sipitang, are vendors at the store.
Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Joachim Gunsalam launched the store, known as Kedai Industri Kecil dan Sederhana (IKS), which is an initiative under the state government’s Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) programme.
The SMJ Halatuju plan is expected to be launched on Monday.
Gunsalam, who is also state industrial development minister, said the store serves as a collection, storage, information and networking centre for Sabah entrepreneurs.
“I was informed that another 100 SMEs from other districts are interested in having their products sold in this shop.
“The first IKS was opened at the Industrial Development and Research Department office near my ministry at Wisma Tun Fuad Stephens in Kota Kinabalu.
“Due to the good response, the ministry plans to open more centres and shops like this.”
In conjunction with the store’s launch, he also opened the SME Carnival.
The ministry launched the GoBiz e-commerce platform last December, and is in the midst of formulating more initiatives to help SMEs.
It plans to launch the Buy Sabah Goods campaign in May, and unveil the state entrepreneurial policy for the 2022-30 period next year. – The Vibes, March 26, 2021
