{
  "id": 9708968,
  "title": "Potential for blue economy as country's new source of growth – Expert",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/potential-for-blue-economy-as-countrys-new-source-of-growth-expert",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-25T05:31:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/business/economy/2026/09/1540886/potential-blue-economy-countrys-new-source-growth-%E2%80%93-expert"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA NERUS: The blue economy holds promise as a new source of national growth, according to Associate Professor Dr Muhammad Abi Sofian Abdul Halim. The development of marine tourism, which includes activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, island hopping, and water sports, can generate revenue, create jobs, and increase income for MSMEs and coastal communities. This can be achieved through tourism centered around islands, coral reefs, mangroves, and marine biodiversity, along with heritage, cuisine, handicrafts, and the lifestyle of fishing communities. The 13th Malaysia Plan recognizes the blue economy as a strategic sector, and the tourism sector as a whole is projected to generate RM323.0 billion in value-added output in 2025, accounting for 15.9 percent of the GDP. Marine tourism development can create a multiplier effect across other sectors, including transportation, food, accommodation, fisheries, and local enterprises. Developing this sector can also boost the income of MSMEs and create job opportunities for coastal communities, as well as providing supplementary income for fishermen through activities like supplying fresh seafood and offering community-based tourism experiences.",
  "summary": "KUALA NERUS: The blue economy has the potential to become a new source of national growth through the development of marine tourism, which can generate revenue, create job opportunities, and boost the income of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and coastal communities.",
  "key_points": [
    "Blue economy can drive national growth, says expert.",
    "Marine tourism development generates revenue and jobs.",
    "13th Malaysia Plan identifies blue economy as strategic sector."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The blue economy emerges as a strategic sector for national growth, promising to generate revenue, create jobs, and boost income for MSMEs and coastal communities through marine tourism development.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}