KOTA KINABALU: Oct 16, 2026 – A total of 30 cooperatives from Sabah and Sarawak are taking part in CoopFest Borneo 2026, an inaugural programme at Suria Shopping Mall here today.
The programme was officiated by Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick and Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Mohamad Alamin.
Ewon said CoopFest Borneo was not merely an exhibition and sales carnival but an important platform to bring the cooperative movement closer to the community.
“It also connects cooperatives with the market, expands business networks and highlights their role as drivers of the community economy,” he said.
He hoped the gathering of cooperatives from the two states would open opportunities for lasting supply relationships and expertise-sharing.
According to Ewon, Sabah and Sarawak have their own strengths in local resources, cultural uniqueness and community entrepreneurial potential.
He therefore wants more cooperatives to build supply networks for agricultural and food products, goods distribution, community tourism, handicrafts and services.
“Through CoopFest Borneo, cooperatives from both states have the opportunity to develop the Borneo market as a complementary business ecosystem. The combined strengths of production, logistics, marketing and customers will help cooperatives scale up their businesses,” he said.
The three-day carnival also brings together 10 TEKUN and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) entrepreneurs, with a target of 2,000 visitors.
Commenting on the industry’s development, Ewon said Sabah’s cooperative movement recorded 2,047 cooperatives as of December 2025. Membership reached 388,683 people, with assets valued at RM1.172 billion and turnover of RM913.33 million.
“These figures prove the economic strength of Sabah’s cooperatives and the foundation available to expand businesses. However, asset and revenue growth must be supported by professional management, good governance and effective marketing strategies,” he stressed.
He explained that the State Government, through the Ministry of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship (MINDET), is continuously strengthening the capacity of local entrepreneurs, including cooperatives, through training and market expansion.
He said the MINDET Entrepreneurship Development Special Fund, worth RM1 million this year, has been expanded to include cooperatives, compared with only individual entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial associations previously.
