He said the blue economy promises great potential for Sabah in the fields of fisheries and aquaculture, shipping and transport logistics, tourism, renewable energy, mineral resources, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, and blue carbon.

Hajiji said Sabah also sees economic potential in the areas of waste management and pollution control research and development, as well as marine infrastructure.

“The state government intends to explore the blue economy to develop the economy, create jobs and improve the people’s standard of living.

“While leading a delegation to the Global Chinese Economic and Technology summit in China last month, I invited investors there to explore the blue economy concept with Sabah to develop the food processing sector.

“This is because Sabah has the longest coastline in Malaysia, with over 1,000km with potential for fish farming and other marine products,” he said in his speech at the opening of the 2023 SMJ-Ekob conference here.

The text of his speech was read by Sabah state secretary Safar Untong.

Introduced in 2012 by the United Nations, the blue economy concept refers to the sustainable utilisation of marine resources for economic growth, improved living standards and job creation, while maintaining the sustainability of the marine ecosystem.

“In the past, the blue economy was just a concept. Now, it has become a must to explore.

“Moreover, Sabah’s geography is very strategic, surrounded by an ocean of 37,300 sq km, with a continental shelf of 116,800 sq km, and a coastline of 2,383km.

“With the treasure and wealth of marine biodiversity that Sabah has, the potential is enormous.”

Hajiji also asked investors in the state to consider investing in the energy sector, including fossil fuel sources and renewable energy such as solar and wind.