Economy

Known as the “Land Beneath the Wind”, Sabah is undergoing some important changes these days, with its economy gearing up for a major stride forwards. Previously one of Malaysia’s poorest states, it is now a dynamic area for growth with new discoveries and investments in oil and gas, the development of a downstream industry for palm oil, and a...

With property development now the third-largest contributor to gross development value (GDV) in Sabah, after palm oil and oil and gas, the state’s construction and real estate sector is a major pillar of the local economy. Concentrated on the west coast, particularly in and around the capital, Kota Kinabalu, real estate prices have risen in...

With Sabah placing the development of human capital and innovation at the centre of its future wealth creation, health and education have undergone a major boost in recent years. The sectors have also become major targets for investment. All this is being strongly assisted by both the state and federal authorities, which aim to see the private...

Sabah enjoyed the third-highest level of domestic investment in the manufacturing sector of any Malaysian state in 2013 and this carried over to the first few months of 2014. Foreign investment, however, has lagged somewhat, and remedying this shortfall is a priority for state and federal authorities.