Kota Kinabalu is not going unnoticed as a promising tropical destination, with investments springing up from entrepreneurs and digital nomads looking to settle. As with many of Malaysia’s tourist destinations, one of the top reasons cited for this is the low cost of living and high quality of life, including a pleasing natural environment and low crime rates. The city is often said to have kept its small-town feel, even with a considerable amount of development on the rise. Those who have made the move from other locations in Asia, or even within Malaysia, note Kota Kinabalu as being very welcoming and easier to navigate than one expects. This includes nurturing business relationships and opportunities for fledgling organizations.
Kota Kinabalu’s start-up scene is primarily supported by a handful of grassroots organizations and clubs that work to enhance the city’s pull for overseas investors. Groups operate events, such as Startup Weekend Kota Kinabalu and WebCamp KK, that attract local and foreign business owners from the city eager to share their ideas, create new business relationships and help turn the city into a more entrepreneur-friendly home.
The city is one of Malaysia’s fastest growing, as the Malaysian government works hard to increase tourism to the region. Foreign residents looking to retire to the area, join a new wave of immigration, increasing the need for housing and services related to this niche market. It has also resulted in an increase of foreign-owned consultancies in various businesses, including many in the hospitality and technology fields. While once an area known for industries, such as palm oil and agriculture, the rise of tourism brings transformation to an ever-modern landscape.
In addition to the many smaller groups working to develop the start-up scene, the city of Kota Kinabalu also hosts an array of national and regional trade fairs and conferences each year. Some of these include the Asia Pacific Tourism Conference, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the Sabah International Expo, among others. This coupled with the governments focus on the tourism boom will continue to see Kota Kinabalu flourish as a serious player on the regional stage.