Sabah Poised to Become Healthcare Industry Hub

MALAYSIA: According to a recent report from The Borneo Post, Sabah, a state in East Malaysia, is being touted as an ideal location for developing international healthcare-related industries and food safety initiatives. Datuk Frankie Liew (pictured: third from right), president of the Sabah China Chamber of Commerce (SCCC), highlighted the state’s natural advantages during a recent visit to China.

“Sabah is endowed with nature, unpolluted environment, beautiful scenery, pleasant climate and advantageous geographical location,” Liew stated, emphasizing the potential for collaboration with Chinese enterprises.

Leveraging Chinese Expertise

Liew believes that by partnering with Chinese companies, Sabah can benefit from their “increasingly mature technology, mechanisms, management, and industrial chain” in the healthcare and food safety sectors. He envisions this collaboration as a driver for the development of Sabah’s medical and healthcare tourism, as well as its food industries.

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Promoting Investment and Cooperation

The SCCC president is actively engaging with healthcare enterprises in China, aiming to encourage Chinese businesses to invest in Sabah. Liew sees this as a crucial moment for economic cooperation between China and ASEAN countries, stating:

“With the implementation of the Sabah-Malaysia My Second Home Program and various conveniences such as mutual visa exemption between Malaysia and China, it will be easier to promote trade and investment cooperation between Sabah and China. We must seize this rare opportunity, accelerate our efforts and promote economic cooperation between China and ASEAN.”

Key Visits and Potential Partnerships

During his China visit, Liew, accompanied by He Yifeng, Vice President of the China Magnesia Industry Association, met with representatives from several prominent Chinese companies. These included Taikang HWP Health Wealth Planner, Zhixin Anmei Group, and Jiangxi Xianghong Food Additives Co., Ltd.

The article highlights Taikang Insurance Group Co., Ltd. as a leading enterprise in the health industry, with diverse businesses spanning insurance, asset management, and medical care. Similarly, Zhixin Anmei Health Technology Management Group was noted for its extensive collaborations with insurance companies, nursing homes, hospitals, and industry associations.

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Future Prospects and Challenges

While Liew is optimistic about Sabah’s potential in the healthcare and tourism sectors, he acknowledges current limitations. “Sabah has great potential, but currently is lacking funds, technology, and management mechanisms. We must join forces with strong partners, learn from them, and gradually grow,” he stated.

To facilitate future partnerships, the SCCC has extended invitations to relevant Chinese companies to visit Sabah for business investment exploration, promising assistance in arranging meetings with local industry representatives and government officials.

As Sabah positions itself as a potential hub for healthcare industries, the coming months may see increased interest and investment from international partners, particularly from China.