RIDING on its strongest performance to date, Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) is leading a nationwide conversation to strengthen Malaysia’s business events ecosystem through a legacy-focused approach aligned with national development priorities.
Through its Ramadan engagement series themed Satu Meja, Seribu Cerita, Sarawak is bringing together government agencies, associations, academia, industry leaders and media across Kuching, Sibu, Miri, Bintulu, Kuala Lumpur and Penang to reinforce collaboration, expand future bid pipelines, and position business events as a strategic driver of long-term economic and social impact.
The initiative marks a significant step in aligning industry stakeholders at a critical juncture of the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030, ensuring that business events continue to deliver measurable value beyond the visitor economy and contribute meaningfully to Sarawak and Malaysia’s broader development agenda.
“As we enter the final phase of the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030, this is a critical window for us to strengthen alignment across the ecosystem and sustain collaboration at its highest level. At this stage, a cohesive industry moving in the same direction matters more than ever,” said Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, at the first Ramadan engagement in Kuching.
“Through BESarawak, the Ministry will continue to actively support organisers in delivering impactful business events in Sarawak by refining concepts, strengthening innovation, and aligning programmes with our broader development priorities,” Hamzah said.
We remain committed to working hand in hand with the industry to ensure that every stakeholder is empowered to contribute meaningfully and generate lasting outcomes for industries, communities, and the wider economy.”
– Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Sarawak tourism and culture minister
Hii Chang Kee, Deputy State Secretary (Operation) and Chairman of BESarawak, said: “Over the next four years, we will be guided by three pillars to transform Sarawak into a business events destination of strategic value: transformation and innovation, legacy and impact, and partnerships and people.
“This means stronger bid support, designing events with built-in legacy outcomes and closer collaboration with government, academia and industry stakeholders who can strengthen the overall impact.”
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Jason Tan Chin Foo, Acting CEO of BESarawak, said: “Legacy impact remains central to our strategy. To achieve lasting impact, our ecosystem — government, associations, academia, industry, and media — must remain cohesive and aligned. Our collaboration must continue beyond the event so that the true value is sustained long after the event is held.”
Sarawak’s focus on the ecosystem continues to deliver measurable results. In 2025, Sarawak recorded its strongest performance to date, with 160 business events secured for up to 2030, representing a projected total economic value of RM483.5 million (about USD122.4m). Sarawak also hosted 159 business events in FY2025 alone, marking a 27 per cent increase from the previous year and generating RM491.4 million in total economic impact.
Main Picture… BESarawak leadership with tourism and culture minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah at a fast-breaking dinner in Kuching
