Ewon calls for Sabah, Sarawak to compete globally under Borneo identity

PETALING JAYA: Sabah and Sarawak’s indigenous business communities must unite under a distinct Bornean economic identity that positions them as global competitors, says Sabah deputy chief minister Ewon Benedick.

Ewon said he envisioned indigenous entrepreneurs breaking into major global industries while retaining their cultural roots.

“Are there companies listed on the stock exchange with active involvement from the Kadazandusun or Dayak communities? Have we established a global footprint and opened enterprises in larger overseas markets?

“This is what I mean by an economic identity, among many other things. Have we ventured into the artificial intelligence and semiconductor industries, which are currently major global sectors?” Borneo Post reported him as saying in Kuching today.

Ewon, who is state minister for industrial development, entrepreneurship and transport, said he wanted his ministry to actively support the Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry in building a stronger economic identity for the Momogun and Kadazandusun business communities.

“This is the vision I have for our community, because I come from an indigenous community myself,” he said.

Ewon said he had discussed tighter cross-border coordination yesterday at a meeting with Sarawak deputy premier Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, who is also state international trade, industry and investment minister.

He said their discussions focused on logistics, infrastructure, and border matters. The two state governments agreed to coordinate on the needs of the shipping, transport, utility and logistics industries that require joint government decisions.

He said the two states are also looking at jointly marketing Bornean natural resources and products globally.