By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Feb 21: The Borneo International Garden Expo Sarawak (BIGEXS) 2023, which promotes Sarawak as a horticulture hub, is expected to generate approximately RM4.4 million in direct and indirect economic impact over the three-day expo (March 17-19), says Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts (MTCP) Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Abdul Karim also stated that the expo is expected to generate tremendous media mileage for Kuching, Sarawak, mainly through social media and influencer coverage, which will have a global impact on Sarawak.
“The expo will also aim to increase tourism arrivals to Sarawak over the next five years.
“Eventually, we see BIGEXS growing into a new tourist attraction event, similar to our significant homegrown event, the Rainforest World Music Festival.
“Hosting this expo will also provide a recurring visitor economy impact for Sarawak,” he said before officially launching BIGEXS 2023 today at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
BIGEXS 2023 aims to showcase Borneo’s unique nature and horticulture as a passion project for like-minded individuals from the region to promote Sarawak as one of the region’s horticulture hubs, according to a press release.
“It will feature a unique garden display, a marketplace, an international food market, fashion shows, pop-up boutiques for arts and crafts, talks and seminars by renowned botanists, cooking demonstrations of edible plants, fringe events by the Society Atelier Sarawak, and much more.
“It is an excellent opportunity for locals and tourists to explore creative landscaping ideas and gain knowledge from industry experts,” as stated in the press release.
Furthermore, Abdul Karim noted that BIGEXS would serve as a platform for exhibitors, regional expert growers, and the general public to disseminate and learn about the latest trends and technology and create opportunities for the exchange of information and ideas.
“The expo will also be a catalyst to create new business opportunities for those involved in the landscape and gardening industries and to expand the industry further specifically, creating economic growth generally through the display and sales of a large variety of plants, garden ornaments, gardening equipment, and other gardening needs through the participation of more than 60 exhibition booths.
“The indirect economic impact will be extraordinary, such as through the creation of new job opportunities and the expansion of a new horticulturist segment, that will have a positive impact on the future of the subcategory of the agriculture sector, including the outdoor furniture industry.
“May this expo gain over 20,000 visitors with an economic impact value of RM4.4 million or more,” he added.
BCCK, in collaboration with Orchidwoods Company, will host the inaugural BIGEXS 2023 from March 17 to 19, 2023, at BCCK.
Among others present at the event were MTCP Sarawak deputy ministers Datuk Snowdan Lawan and Datuk Sebastian Ting, MTCP permanent secretary Datu Sherrina Hussaini, BCCK executive director Tan Sri Datuk Amar Wilson Baya Dandot, BCCK director Dato Steve Ng, and Orchidwoods Company director Au Yong Kien Chung. — DayakDaily
