He said RM1.51 billion was from the manufacturing sector, which underscored the sector’s growth and importance as an economic driver.

Citing SK Nexilis Malaysia Sdn Bhd as an example, Juhar said the company invested RM300 million through its subsidiary, Curix Sdn Bhd, to manufacture copper granules at its factory here.

“The state government will empower the manufacturing investment task force in 2024 to accelerate all approved investments.

“Industrialisation and investments continue to drive the state’s economy,” he said when opening the 16th Sabah assembly meeting here today.

Juhar said the state government is keen to raise investor confidence in green technology products, the biomass and mineral resources downstream sector, food processing and manufacturing, and the medical devices sector.

Other initiatives include developing two new industrial parks in Kota Belud and Kimanis, and implementing Sabah’s oil palm biomass industry policy, he said.

Juhar said the Sabah government collected RM6.97 billion in revenue in 2023, its highest ever, surpassing 2022’s record collection of RM6.96 billion.

Aside from manufacturing, he said, the tourism sector showed encouraging recovery in 2023 with tourist arrivals rising to 2.61 million compared with 1.72 million recorded in 2022.

He said the state government is targeting three million arrivals this year and will accelerate high-impact initiatives and programmes.

“The state government has also been focusing on providing better infrastructure and other facilities in areas popular with tourists, especially outside the city, including parks and museum areas, to prepare for Visit Malaysia Year 2026,” he said.