Develop Eco-Tourism, Agriculture In Communties Through Cooperatives - Ewon

KOTA BELUD, Aug 23 (Bernama) -- The rural community should use the cooperatives movement to drive economic development through tourism and agriculture sectors, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said.

He explained that cooperatives were the best platform for rural entrepreneurship and would enable local communities to compete with major companies through government support and aid.

"We have more than 16,000 cooperatives in the country, including almost 2,000 in Sabah, with six of them in the Cooperatives Premier League.

"This proves that cooperatives in Sabah can compete if given adequate chances and support,” he said in a statement after officiating  Koperasi Pelancongan Tagal Kampung Lingkubang Kota Belud Berhad’s Family Day here today.

He shared that he had visited the cooperative and approved RM100,000 for various development projects after his appointment as minister, including RM80,00 for upgrading a bridge, building a concrete pedestrian path and an arch, while RM20,000 was used for an e-commerce site to promote the cooperatives products.

Ewon praised Koperasi Pelancongan Tagal Kampung Lingkubang Kota Belud Berhad’s efforts in highlighting riverside recreational activities and tagal based fish conservation.

"I’m proud of the villagers’ initiatives in mobilising rural entrepreneurship and to develop economic potential through cooperatives. I hope this cooperative continues to progress and inspire other cooperatives,” he said.

He added that his ministry, through the Cooperatives Commission of Malaysia has introduced the Jejak Koperasi programme to strengthen the tourism sector cooperatives in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026.

"In Kadamaian, we focus on tourism and agriculture sectors so that it will be known as a major tourism destination besides Ranau. Part of Mount Kinabalu is in Kadamaian and we want tourists who climb the mountain to stop by here,” he added.

-- BERNAMA