KOTA KINABALU, Sept 4, 2026 — Sabah is strengthening its position as a gateway to Borneo, a bridge to the BIMP-EAGA region and a platform for businesses seeking access to regional and international markets, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said.

Speaking at the opening of the Sabah International Exhibition 2026 (SIE2026) at the Sabah International Convention Centre today, Benedick said the exhibition was more than a showcase of products and services, describing it as a platform to connect markets, build partnerships and create new economic opportunities.

SIE2026 features 300 exhibition booths, with about 35 per cent comprising international exhibitors from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, the Philippines and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Held under the tagline “Sabah – Your Gateway to Global Opportunities,” the three-day exhibition is expected to attract approximately 10,000 trade visitors, alongside thousands of walk-in visitors. Potential sales and business transactions are targeted at around RM10 million.

Benedick, who is also Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport and the main organising chairman of SIE2026, said the strong international participation reflected growing interest in Sabah as a destination for trade, investment and business cooperation.

A key component of the exhibition is the 3rd BIMP-EAGA Trade, Investment and Halal Industry Conference, which brought together approximately 300 delegates under the theme “Connecting Markets, Scaling Values.”

The conference provided businesses and stakeholders from the BIMP-EAGA region with a platform to explore trade, investment and opportunities within the expanding halal economy.

Benedick said BIMP-EAGA had enormous potential due to its strategic location, rich resources, cultural diversity and young, increasingly connected population.

He said the priority was now to translate those advantages into tangible economic opportunities for businesses, investors and communities across the region.

“The theme ‘Connecting Markets, Scaling Values’ captures exactly what we want to achieve,” Benedick said, stressing the need to connect businesses with new markets, investors with new opportunities and industries with greater value creation.

Another major highlight of SIE2026 was the Sabah International Business Luncheon Talk, featuring Malaysian business leader Tan Sri Sir Dr Jeffrey Cheah, KBE, AOM, chairman and founder of the Sunway Group.

Cheah addressed about 700 attendees on the topic “Leadership Lessons: From 2 Near Bankruptcies to a RM76 Billion Conglomerate.”

Benedick said Cheah’s experience offered valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and business leaders, particularly on resilience, courage and the importance of learning from setbacks.

He said successful leadership and entrepreneurship were rarely achieved without challenges and required the ability to persevere and continue moving forward.

Benedick also thanked the Federation of Sabah Industries (FSI) and the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MICCI) Sabah Branch for their continued partnership with the Ministry of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport (MINDET) in organising SIE2026.

He also commended the two women co-chairpersons for their leadership and contribution to the organisation of the exhibition, saying their involvement reflected the growing role of women in business, innovation and economic development.

Benedick expressed appreciation to exhibitors, partners, sponsors, industry associations, government agencies and international delegations for their participation.

He said the presence of exhibitors and delegations from Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines and BARMM demonstrated confidence in Sabah and the wider BIMP-EAGA region.

He emphasised that the success of SIE2026 should ultimately be measured beyond the number of booths and visitors, focusing instead on the business deals concluded, partnerships established, investments generated and opportunities created for the people.

“For Sabah, we want to position ourselves as a gateway to Borneo, a bridge to BIMP-EAGA and a platform for businesses to access regional and international markets,” he said.