Korean firm to build RM2.3 billion copper foil factory

By Neil Brian Joseph

KOTA KINABALU: The State Government’s latest collaboration with SK Nexilis, a South Korean copper foil manufacturer, will create 400 job opportunities.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam said Sabah is honoured to have been selected as the first overseas production base for the renowned company.

“The value of this investment is amounting to RM2.3 billion, and 400 jobs will be created as well.

“From the bottom of my heart, I wish to express my sincerest thanks and appreciation to SK Nexilis for choosing Sabah as your investment destination,” said Joachim in his speech during the welcoming dinner for SK Nexilis, held at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) on Saturday.

Also present were SK Nexilis vice president Dr Lee Hyun Woo, State Rural Development Minister Datuk Jahid Jahim, Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Shahelmey Yahya and Sabah State Secretary Datuk Seri Panglima Safar Untong.

Joachim explained that copper foil is a key component in the production of batteries for electric vehicles.

“I understand that this is not just any other ordinary copper foil, it is five microns in thickness, analogous to slicing the thickness of an A4 paper by twenty times and the length is up to 70 kilometres, or from Kota Kinabalu city to Kota Belud town.

“Indeed, only a state-of-theart factory could manufacture such a product, and we are proud to be the home of this factory,” said Joachim, who is also State Industrial Development Minister.

Joachim also thanked the Federal Government as well as the various state and local agencies and authorities of Sabah for their assistance and support in making the investment of SK Nexilis in Sabah a reality.