KOTA KINABALU, The Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation (Bioeconomy Corporation) has entered into a strategic partnership with Invest Sabah Bhd through the Bioeconomy Tour 2025, aimed at strengthening Sabah’s bioeconomy ecosystem and unlocking new economic and sustainable development opportunities for the state.
Bioeconomy Corporation chief executive officer (CEO) Mohd Khairul Fidzal Abdul Razak said the collaboration involves close cooperation with nine Sabah-based agencies as part of an integrated effort to support the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation’s mission to position Malaysia as a global technology leader by 2030.
He highlighted that strong participation in the 2024 Sabah Bioeconomy Tour showcased the state’s vast potential in biotechnology and bio-based industries. With stronger backing from state agencies this year, he is confident the sector will see greater progress.
“Our focus is to assist biotechnology companies nationwide, particularly in Sabah. Earlier, we introduced six bio-based products from local firms. With this programme, we aim to help more local companies develop products for both domestic and international markets,” he told reporters after the Bioeconomy Tour 2025.
This year, Bioeconomy Corporation plans to host the programme in six locations nationwide with over 200 participants, and to launch 60 new products and innovations. For the Sabah edition, the corporation will roll out the BioSynergy programme in partnership with POIC Lahad Datu to boost research, technology transfer, talent development, and enterprise support.
According to Mohd Khairul, the initiative is designed to build expertise and enhance the competitiveness of Bio-based Accelerator (BBA) and BioNexus-status companies in Sabah, both of which are critical to the state’s bioeconomy growth. To date, more than 630 companies across Malaysia have recorded approved investments worth RM8.7 billion as of the second quarter of 2025.
“This shows that continuous support for these companies will deliver even greater and more sustainable impacts on science, technology and innovation-driven economic development. We are committed to advancing BBA and BioNexus companies to help the industry contribute five per cent to GDP growth,” he added. 
Meanwhile, Invest Sabah CEO Dr Firdaus Suffian said the collaboration with Bioeconomy Corporation will not only strengthen Sabah’s bioeconomy ecosystem but also create opportunities for investors, innovative companies, and local communities to engage in the growth of the bio-based industry.
“As the state agency responsible for attracting investments and driving economic development, we view this partnership as a strategic platform to support biotechnology growth in Sabah and expand economic opportunities for the people. This is also an opportunity to drive innovation and promote Sabah as a hub for strategic technology investments,” he said.
Dr Firdaus added that Sabah’s rich biodiversity offers vast untapped potential to develop high-value products through bio-based technologies. He expressed confidence that more BBA and BioNexus companies will be established in Sabah through initiatives like the Bioeconomy Tour, further contributing to both state and national economic growth.
