Sabah International Expo (SIE 2026) Strengthens Sabah’s Position as a Gateway to Global Opportunities

The 11th Sabah International Expo (SIE) 2026, jointly organised by the Sabah State Government, Federation of Sabah Industries (FSI) and Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) Sabah Chapter, concluded on a high note following five days of business engagement, regional dialogue and international collaboration at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) in Kota Kinabalu from 2 to 6 September. The expo reinforced Sabah’s growing position as a gateway for trade, investment and partnerships across Borneo, BIMP-EAGA, ASEAN and the wider Asia Pacific.

Sabah International Expo (SIE 2026) Strengthens Sabah’s Position as a Gateway to Global Opportunities

Purpose-Led Leadership for Sustainable Associations

By Dato' Seri TPr (Dr) Maimunah Mohd Sharif

Advisor on Sustainable Urbanisation to the Government of Malaysia

The Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) marked a key milestone in driving the nation’s Business Events (BE) agenda with the successful hosting of Association Day 2025 & Kesatria Malaysia Induction Ceremony. Held at Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, the event united influential association leaders and policymakers to celebrate industry champions, strengthen collaboration, and reinforce Malaysia’s role as a preferred destination for impactful global events.

Sabah Welcomes Global Delegates with Vision for Regional Growth at SIE 2026 Welcome Dinner

Sabah welcomed delegates from more than 15 countries to the SIE 2026 Welcoming Dinner, with Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Finance of Sabah, describing the strong international turnout as a reflection of growing confidence in the state as a destination for business, investment and regional partnerships.

Speaking on behalf of Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji bin Haji Noor, Chief Minister of Sabah, Masidi said the evening was more than a formal welcome. It marked the beginning of conversations that could bring together Sabah businesses, international investors and regional partners.

Sabah Welcomes Global Delegates with Vision for Regional Growth at SIE 2026 Welcome Dinner

SIE 2026
Your Gateway to Global Opportunities

Leadership Lesson – From Two Near Bankruptcies to a RM76 Billion Conglomerate

For Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Sir Jeffrey Cheah, the journey from a young accountant with no business experience to the founder of a RM76 billion conglomerate was never a straight path. It was a journey shaped by ambition, setbacks, resilience and, ultimately, a deep conviction that business should serve a purpose beyond profit.

Speaking at the Sabah International Business Luncheon Talk (SIBLT) 2026, the Sunway Group founder and chairman reflected on more than five decades of entrepreneurship, sharing the lessons that shaped his approach to business, leadership, education, healthcare, sustainability and nation building.

Leadership Lesson – From Two Near Bankruptcies to a RM76 Billion Conglomerate

Sabah’s Triangle of Success – Building a Halal Gateway for BIMP-EAGA

For Sabah to realise its halal potential, the next step is not to start from scratch, but to connect what it already has and turn it into a stronger regional value chain. The state already possesses many of the building blocks, agriculture, fisheries, food production, entrepreneurs, ports, infrastructure and strategic connectivity across the BIMP-EAGA region. The challenge now is to bring these strengths together, scale them and create greater value.

In his keynote address, The Hon. Brigedier Jeneral Datuk Haji Al-Hambra Tun Juhar, Deputy Speaker of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly, called for a broader understanding of the halal industry and a more ambitious approach to Sabah’s role within the regional halal economy. He urged businesses and policymakers to look beyond the traditional perception of halal as simply a food category.

Sabah’s Triangle of Success – Building a Halal Gateway for BIMP-EAGA

How Halal Plays an Important Role in Our Lives

The panel explored how halal has evolved beyond its traditional association with food and religious observance to become a global economic opportunity, lifestyle concept and mark of trust, quality and assurance.

Moderator Aleem Siddiqui M. Guiapal, Former Head, DTI Halal Industry Development and Investment Promotions, Philippines, set the context by highlighting halal’s growing contribution to export growth, tourism, job creation, market access and economic development. Beyond its religious significance for Muslims, halal increasingly represents values such as cleanliness, safety, hygiene, purity and ethical practices, making it relevant to both Muslim and non-Muslim consumers.

How Halal Plays an Important Role in Our Lives

Opportunities and Incentives for Halal Trade & Investment in BIMP-EAGA

The session explored how BIMP-EAGA can move beyond the potential of the halal economy to create practical opportunities for trade, investment, supply-chain development and cross-border collaboration.

Moderated by Soeryo Poetranto, Chairman of Standing Committee ASEAN, IMTGT, BIMP-EAGA & KADIN, Indonesia, the session brought together perspectives from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia, highlighting the importance of stronger regional connectivity, supportive policies, strategic infrastructure and market-driven collaboration.

Opportunities and Incentives for Halal Trade & Investment in BIMP-EAGA

The session explored how BIMP-EAGA can move beyond the potential of the halal economy to create practical opportunities for trade, investment, supply-chain development and cross-border collaboration.

The Way Forward for BIMP-EAGA Halal Trade Industry

The closing session of the BIMP-EAGA Halal Conference highlighted the need to move beyond identifying halal opportunities towards building the capital, partnerships and regional ecosystem required to scale businesses. The discussion emphasised Islamic financing, cross-border collaboration, SME support, certification alignment, logistics and integrated value chains as key priorities for strengthening BIMP-EAGA’s halal economy. With complementary strengths across Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia, the region has the foundations to develop a more connected and competitive halal industry and turn shared opportunities into sustainable growth.