Sabah GDP likely to grow 5.1pc next year, says Shafie
Sabah’s gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow 5.1 per cent next year as the state strives to provide more jobs for the people, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
He said the state has taken several measures to empower the oil and gas industry so that it can contribute to the GDP.
The tourism industry will continue to be the main driver of GDP next year, he said.
“The state government will diversify tourism products in a bid to make the sector more sustainable.
“This includes ensuring that tourism products in the state are not only accessible to tourists but also scientists and researchers, as Sabah has research centres such as the Imbak Canyon,” he said after opening the Social Security Organisation’s (Socso) EIS Job Carnival, here, on Saturday.
Shafie said the state government is also optimistic that the agriculture sector could contribute to the state’s growth next year, with the launch of the Sabah agricultural development plan.
The job carnival was part of Socso’s efforts to assist contributors under the Employment Insurance System Act 2017.
Kota Kinabalu is the fourth stop in the job carnival road show after Kuala Lumpur, Alor Star and Kangar.
Socso chief executive Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed said about 2,308 unemployed individuals had applied for Employment Insurance System benefits.
About 1,850 applications for financial assistance of RM3.08 million were approved.
“Socso not only assists the unemployed find new jobs but also provides income replacement to support them,” he said.