KOTA KINABALU: Legal and policy reforms are essential to the success of the blue economy, including in Sabah, said Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA) chairman Datuk Muhammad Suffian Awang.
"As a maritime policy research institute under the Transport Ministry, MIMA has been collaborating with the Secretariat Sabah Maju Jaya (SSMJ) under the Chief Minister's Office.
"MIMA is committed to supporting Sabah in establishing a robust framework for the blue economy, in alignment
with the state's development agenda," he said in a statement.
During his presentation at the Sabah International Blue Economy Conference here yesterday, Suffian revealed five factors that could lead to the success of the blue economy.
He said that among them was the importance of establishing an integrated maritime governance system to streamline policies and improve interagency coordination.
"By strengthening monitoring and enforcement through advanced technologies like satellite and drone systems, we can better manage and protect our maritime domains.
"We also must safeguard our maritime resources for future generations by embedding sustainability into our laws," he said.
Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) process, he said, offered an ecosystem-based approach to managing ocean resources that could yield long-term benefits for local communities and industries.
Strategic collaboration on both national and international levels was also highlighted as essential to achieving the Blue Economy's objectives.
"Building human capital is vital for driving the blue economy, especially as it forms a key pillar of the Sabah Maju Jaya Development Plan 1.0 (2021-2025)."