SARAWAK’s business events industry has recorded another outstanding performance year, with 95 secured national and international events providing an estimated total economic impact of MYR346.5 million (about US$73.6m) – 139 per cent above target.
From 2024 to 2028, Sarawak is set to welcome more than 42,000 delegates with an estimated direct delegate expenditure of MYR188.3 million and fetching a tax revenue of MYR20.8 million.
The state on Malaysian Borneo hosted a total of 107 business events – a 7 per cent increase compared to 2022. The total economic impact of these events stands at MYR372 million with more than 45,000 delegates contributing MYR202.2 million to the economy. These figures represent a 62 per cent increase compared to the previous year.
Speaking at the Board of Directors Appreciation Dinner hosted by BESarawak, Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts of Sarawak, praised BESarawak and industry for going above and beyond in 2023.
“This increase in delegate arrivals and economic impact is a sure sign that Sarawak is back to its pre-pandemic vibrancy,” Hamza said.
“Our economic achievements demonstrate that we are targeting the right business events based on the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 – and ensuring they positively impact Sarawak. Furthermore, the industry must continue to be active in striving for excellence as we expand the business events infrastructure and secure more events.”
One of the event highlights was an expression of appreciation to dedicated employees of BESarawak who boast a track record of five and 10 years in the bureau. They are Jason Tan Chin Foo (General Manager for Business Development and Marketing), Cho Chui Chui (Finance Manager), Chin Sin Nee (Senior HR Executive), Erica Ng (Accounting and Finance Executive) and Alex Lidu (Office Assistant and Driver).
Outgoing board members (above) were also recognised for their significant contributions and positive influence in the business events industry: Muhammad Abdullah bin Zaidel (Deputy Sarawak State Secretary – Economic Planning and Development) who will remain as the Sarawak Business Events Funds Chairman; Councillor Clarence Ting Ing Horh (Chairman for Sibu Municipal Council); Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hiram Ting Huong Yiew (Associate Professor at the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management, UCSI University) and Audry Wan Ullok (President of the Sarawak Tourism Federation).
Amelia Roziman, BESarawak’s CEO, said: “All these accomplishments fall under the ‘Tribe Legacy Sarawak’ campaign, which promotes and facilitates collaborations for greater results and values. We are glad to see that the campaign is delivering significant value to the industry, which then translates into the events that Sarawak is securing and hosting.
“With the Board of Directors’ support, we will also ensure that opportunities are constantly created for the industry to contribute to Sarawak’s overall growth.”
