By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 13: Borneo Convention Centre Kuching 2 (BCCK2) and improved air connectivity through AirBorneo are expected to strengthen Sarawak’s push to attract bigger and more diverse business events from across the Asia-Pacific region.
The opportunities were highlighted during a courtesy visit by Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) to Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg today to discuss the next phase of Sarawak’s business events growth and its alignment with the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).
Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said continued Sarawak government support has strengthened the State’s ability to build on its international reputation in business events.
“Sarawak has built a strong international reputation in business events, strengthened by our focus on legacy-driven outcomes.
“We are now seeing that translate into more events and wider opportunities for local businesses and industries,” he said.
Abdul Karim further said Sarawak is now well positioned to pursue bigger opportunities and extend the benefits of business events across more sectors and communities as competition within ASEAN grows.
The discussions also identified infrastructure, venue and accommodation capacity, together with air connectivity, as key factors in attracting larger international and national business events.
With BCCK2 currently in progress and AirBorneo set to improve connectivity, Sarawak sees potential to capture a larger share of business events and related tourism from the wider Asia-Pacific region.
The focus, however, is not simply on bringing more events to Sarawak, but on ensuring they generate longer-term benefits for the State.
Deputy State Secretary (Operation) and BESarawak chairman Datu Hii Chang Kee stated business events must be more closely connected to Sarawak’s wider development priorities.
“As the industry grows, our role in connecting business events more closely with PCDS 2030 becomes even more important,” he said.
With a growing pipeline of larger events addressing globally relevant issues, Hii said each opportunity should be assessed for its potential to contribute to investment, talent development, industry growth, knowledge exchange and international partnerships.
“This is where stronger coordination becomes essential. Government agencies, industry and institutions need to work together so that when these events come to Sarawak, we are ready to maximise the opportunities and benefits they can create for the destination,” he added.
BESarawak chief executive officer Jason Tan Chin Foo said the organisation will build on the momentum it has developed over the past two decades by becoming more deliberate in the events it pursues.
“With the strong support of the Sarawak government, we are excited about the next phase of growth.
“We have built significant momentum over the years, and our focus now is to use that momentum strategically by being intentional about the events we pursue, strengthening Sarawak’s business events ecosystem, and creating more value from every opportunity we secure,” he said.
BESarawak said this approach is centred on “legacy impact”, where business events are used to generate lasting benefits through knowledge, innovation and partnerships rather than focusing solely on visitor numbers or event attendance.
The organisation said its future business events pipeline will continue to be aligned with Sarawak’s priority sectors under PCDS 2030, with the aim of bringing in expertise, innovation and strategic partnerships that support the State’s broader development.
Established by the Sarawak government in 2006, BESarawak is responsible for attracting high-value meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions to Sarawak. — DayakDaily
