The Sabah government is always open to establish joint-ventures with franchise companies such as McDonald’s Malaysia to explore business opportunities in the state, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said the state government has many government-related companies that can play a role in realising such collaborations, which will benefit the people and the state’s economy.
“However, it is up to the entities (franchise companies) with whom they want to work with. In this business, there must be confidence and trust in each other.
“We have initiated the idea so that what is implemented will last and benefit the people and the state,” he told reporters after launching McDonald’s Jalan Sulaman drive-thru restaurant here, today.
Also present were Sabah Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Phoong Jin Zhe, state secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong, McDonald’s Malaysia managing director and local operations partner Datuk Azmir Jaafar, and Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park Sdn Bhd (KKIP) chief executive officer Laurence Kimkuan.
Earlier, Hajiji witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between McDonald’s Malaysia and KKIP for the acquisition of 1.61 hectares of land owned by KKIP to build a complete food supply hub for the quick service restaurant company in Sabah and Sarawak.
This will involve three McDonald’s Malaysia supplier partners, namely Bimbo QSR for bun and bread supplies, Tyson Foods for food supplies such as vegetables and protein products like nuggets and meat slices, and HAVI Logistics as the main distribution company, providing facilities for supply delivery.
Hajiji has welcomed McDonald’s plans to create an integrated food supply hub in KKIP and open more restaurants in Sabah as this would help boost local economic activities and create more job opportunities for the locals.
In another development, Hajiji said the Sabah government is committed to implementing various initiatives to overcome the water supply problem in the state through short- and long-term solutions as it is an important issue that needs to be resolved immediately.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency