The government is seeking investors to build and operate cement manufacturing plants in Sabah. Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Haji Noor reiterated that there is a demand for cement in Sabah especially in construction industry.

"Thus, the government welcomes investors from China as the property and construction sectors need about 1.5 million tonnes of cement per year and Sabah still lacks cement factories and clinker plant factories" said Hajiji.

He said this in his speech read by his assistant, Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam who represented him during the Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (SHAREDA) annual dinner at a resort on Friday.

He commended SHAREDA for reaching out to the Sabah Builders Association and Sabah Hardware Building Material Association to jointly attract investors from China for capital investment in high-value developments.

The State Government will continue to support SHAREDA in promoting economic benefits to the industry include reviewing the (Sales and Purchase Agreement) SPA 's selling price for new housing development, he said.

Also, the establishment of Sabah Building Society to provide end finance to house buyers at more lenient terms and review of the Uniform Building By-Law, among others.

"I assure you that we will look into these requests proactively and engage with SHAREDA to seek a consensus that will work for all" said Hajiji.