KOTA KINABALU: Solar glass, worth RM1.86 billion annually, is expected to be produced in Sabah soon, said Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe.

The first shipment of made in Sabah solar glass, weighing 672 tonnes with an estimated value of RM1.43 million, was exported to Cambodia last weekend, Phoong said at the Sabah State Legislative Assembly yesterday.

He said this of the Kibing Group, which operates the 50-hectare manufacturing facility at Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP), when winding up for the ministry, in support of the policy speech by the Yang Di Pertua Negeri.

"The projected production, once the facility is fully operational, is expected to increase to 876,000 tonnes annually by next month, with an estimated product value of RM1.86 billion.

"This will outrightly increase the contribution of the manufacturing sector to the state's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), apart from elevating the export value," he said of the company, SBH Kibing Solar New Materials Sdn Bhd, launched late last year, with an investment plan of RM3 billion.

"I also wish to inform the Dewan at the ministry plans to coordinate a proposal for the Kibing Group to enhance it's production of solar glass capacity in KKIP by adding a third production line.

"This investment expansion will increase the company's investment by an estimated RM700 million and create 600 jobs," added Phoong of the manufacturing facility that currently has about 2000 employees, mostly locals.

Meanwhile, the state Youth and Sports Ministry will give priority to the Sabah Youth Policy, which aspires to elevate the innovative potentials of the younger generation of people in the state.

Its minister Datuk Ellron Alfred Angin said this focus will be in 12 elements namely leadership, unity, education, personality, integrity, prosperity, volunteerism, entrepreneurship, knowledge, environment and confidence.

"To excel in these elements, the ministry has prepared a five-year Youth Development Strategic Plan. This will be the guide for the development progress to be constantly reviewed annually," he said.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/04/1041935/sabah-produce-solar-glass-worth-rm186-billion-annually