Sabah is positioning itself as a key player in the global halal market with the inauguration of its first dedicated halal industrial park for small and medium enterprises. The Q-SME Halal Industrial Park, a RM62 million initiative led by Qhazanah Sabah Bhd (QSB), aims to provide local businesses with specialized facilities, simplified certification procedures, and direct pathways to international markets. Located within the HALMAS-certified Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park, the hub is tailored to nurture halal-focused SMEs in food processing, cosmetics, and related sectors, fostering a self-sustaining ecosystem.
The industrial park features 17 ready-built warehouse units, with construction nearing 80% completion as of May 2025. Demand has already outpaced expectations, with most units pre-booked by entrepreneurs eager to capitalize on the halal market. A standout feature is the integrated One-Stop Halal Centre, supported by Malaysia’s Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and other regulatory bodies, offering certification, marketing, and export assistance. This centralized approach is designed to streamline operations and enhance competitiveness for local businesses.
Beyond economic benefits, the project is expected to generate over 500 jobs, with each unit potentially supporting up to 30 employees. QSB’s financing model relies on rental income from tenants, ensuring sustainability while reinvesting in future industrial growth. According to QSB chairman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob, the park’s strategic location near Sabah Ports provides a logistical advantage, positioning local producers to tap into regional and global markets. He envisions the hub as a blueprint for similar developments across the state, further solidifying Sabah’s role in the halal industry.
The launch event also marked the signing of a joint development agreement for The Hill @ Damai, a mixed-use urban revitalization project featuring Sabah’s second cardiac specialist center. This facility, modeled after Kuala Lumpur’s National Heart Institute, aims to reduce the state’s reliance on external medical services while upgrading local healthcare infrastructure. Together, these initiatives reflect Sabah’s broader strategy to drive economic growth through targeted investments in both industry and public services.