Masidi (centre) launched a drone from his palm during the launching of the 2023 Sabah Chinese Economic Conference (SCEC), flanked by SCEC chairman Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee (fourth left) and the six presidents and chairmen of the six co-organising organisations.
KOTA KINABALU: The state government is focused on ramping up digitalisation efforts to maximise tapping into the digital economy, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
"We are leveraging technology and innovation to boost productivity and growth," he said at the Sabah Chinese Economic Conference here on Wednesday (Aug 23).
He said that with technological advances, businesses across all industries were leveraging advances in technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI).
"Digital experience makes all the difference, and businesses which do not invest in such to stay relevant and competitive will fail," he said, adding that the digital economy is expected to contribute 22.6% of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) for Malaysia and create half a million jobs by 2025.
"I understand this conference will aim at enhancing Sabah's economic competitiveness using new technology.
"Your embarking on AI and drones as new tools of our economic development deserves support," he said in his speech read by state Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.
Hajiji said the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (Sedia), had organised a Drone Seminar where many saw it necessary to explore drones' potential on how they could revolutionise the state's economy.
"To be competitive, we need to be more creative and proactive by taking full advantage of digital technologies and the use of virtual reality, among others," he said.
He said the state government would also focus on empowering human capital to be competent, innovative, resilient with integrity.
He added that initiatives include organising Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) courses in line with the Industrial Revolution 4.0 and the expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT).
"Collaboration with industry on skills training needs to be improved to enhance the capacity and marketability of our human capital," Hajiji said.
