SANDAKAN (Dec 19): A smart partnership between government agencies and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can help Sabah achieve its aim of becoming an industrial state by 2030, says Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau.

The transformation plan aims among others to create a conducive and pragmatic investment ecosystem for manufacturing and facilitate the inflow of foreign and domestic investment into Sabah, he said at the launch of tourism products by the Beluran SME Association here yesterday.

In his speech read by his political secretary Joisin Romut, Tangau, who is also Sabah Trade and Industry Minister, he said the quality and presentation of local products can still be improved with better production processes and stringent quality standards.