By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Jan 12: Sarawak recorded the best performance in its business events history in 2025, driven by the Tribe Legacy Sarawak Campaign, securing 160 business events and achieving 115 per cent of its annual target, with the events scheduled between 2025 and 2030 projected to generate a total economic impact of RM483.5 million.
According to Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), the secured events are expected to generate RM262.8 million in direct delegate expenditure, RM29 million in tax revenue, and 177,453 delegate days, reinforcing Sarawak’s position as Malaysia and Borneo’s Legacy Capital of Business Events.
In a press release, BESarawak said the State has maintained a 100 per cent bid success rate since 2022, underscoring sustained international confidence in Sarawak’s destination readiness and the strength of its business events ecosystem.
Major events secured during the period include the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Conference 2025, the Asian Congress on Occupational Health 2026, the International Council on Monuments and Sites Triennial General Assembly 2026, and the International Council on Archives Conference 2027.
On the hosting front, Sarawak successfully delivered 159 business events in 2025, representing a 27 per cent increase compared to the previous year. These events generated RM491.4 million in total economic impact, including RM267 million in direct delegate spending, attracted 59,926 delegates, contributed RM29.5 million in tax revenue, and supported more than 38,000 jobs across the State.
Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said 2025 marked the best performance in Sarawak’s business events history.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have reshaped how the world looks at Sarawak, from a once overlooked destination into the legacy capital of business events in Malaysia and Borneo. It is a powerful journey of vision, perseverance and partnership, and one that we proudly celebrate as we mark our 20th anniversary this year,” he said during the Board of Directors Appreciation Dinner.
He stressed that the achievement was the result of a united ecosystem working with shared purpose, rather than the efforts of a single organisation.
Looking ahead, Abdul Karim said the 2026 to 2030 period represents the final phase of the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 under the 13th Malaysia Plan, during which business events must continue delivering meaningful contributions to the economy, society and environment.
“Our next phase must ensure that business events continue to deliver meaningful contributions to our economy, society and environment. Tribe Legacy Sarawak provides the platform to mobilise talent, partnerships and innovation at scale,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy State Secretary (Operation) and BESarawak chairman Datu Hii Chang Kee said the past five years had focused on building Sarawak’s legacy ecosystem and developing the Legacy Impact Master Action Plan.
He said the next phase would prioritise deeper data intelligence, digitalisation, partnerships, and talent development to ensure Sarawak remains globally competitive while delivering sustainable value for its people.
Furthermore, BESarawak chief executive officer (CEO) Amelia Roziman said the Tribe Legacy Sarawak Campaign had successfully mobilised the entire business events ecosystem, proving that strong alignment between government, industry, and communities could transform business events into platforms for national and global impact.
Looking ahead, the Tribe Legacy Sarawak Campaign for 2026 to 2030 will focus on accelerating data intelligence, digital platforms, leadership capability and cross sector partnerships to ensure sustained growth aligned with the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030, the 13th Malaysia Plan, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. — DayakDaily
