By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, May 13: Sarawak must change its narrative from only hosting conference for tourism impact to tapping into global network, secure venture capital and attract new talent.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg noted that traditionally, the region would focus on creating tourism impact through business events with the mindset that the international delegates will come to spend in the region and thus, creating economic opportunities.
“The new narrative is now this – If we host this conference, global leaders will share their knowledge and see what we are doing here in Sarawak. Corporations and investors will come too.
“It’s an opportunity to tap into a global network, secure venture capital and attract new talent.
“This conference is a strategic way to stimulate the industry which will help Sarawak become a high-income developed destination,” he said during the 10th Anak Sarawak Awards presentation ceremony held at Imperial Hotel here last night (May 12).
He cited Sarawak’s hosting of Asia Carbon Conference in March this year where the conference attracted 400 delegates including carbon investors and developers.
While some may not look to invest, he pointed out that they were interested to learn more about how Sarawak is developing carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) and shared what was being done in their country or region.
He further cited another example of Sarawak’s achievement to develop a new technology to raise algae in an industrial scale to produce a wide range of products such as jet fuel or sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products.
“I have just launched the facility yesterday at Sejingkat and I believe Sarawak can become a reference point for the sharing of knowledge on algae cultivation that would certainly add to the attractiveness of the State as a business event destination.
“However, if we only measure ‘conference’ by the old narrative and how much delegates were spending, we would not be able to enjoy the wider benefits that it brought.
“Delegates will spend, regardless. That is one economic opportunity. But we must cast a wider net and consider additional opportunities,” he emphasised.
Amongst those present were Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian; Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Deputy Minister of Tourism Datuk Sebastian Ting; Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development II Datuk Francis Harden Hollis; Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) chairman Dato Sri Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg; BESarawak board of directors’ member Dato Sri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar and BESarawak chief executive officer Amelia Roziman. — DayakDaily
