Malaysia - Revenue of RM45mil expected from 48 conferences this year, says Chief Minister

KUCHING: Sarawak has successfully secured 48 conferences and this is set to bring in a total of more than 20,000 delegates this year.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said the conferences were expected to generate more than RM45mil in direct expenditure by the delegates.

Congratulating the Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB) for the success, he said this was made possible through experience and teamwork.

“Among the conferences secured is the 9th World Congress of Chinese Medicine (WCCM) next year, which is set to bring in more than 1,000 specialists, contributing RM7.7mil, and the International Hydropower Association Congress (IHAC) in 2013 that will attract more than 600 delegates and contribute RM2.1mil in delegates expenditure,” he said at the Anak Sarawak Appreciation Award Ceremony here on Saturday.

Taib urged SCB to build strate-gies to promote the tourism industry in the state, which had a lot to offer, particularly in nature tourism.

“With connectivity being not much of a problem now, we can better promote the tourism industry in the state,” he added.

Earlier, SCB chairman Datuk Seri Dr Muhammad Leo Michael Toyad said SCB had so far secured 180 conferences that would collectively generate more than RM189mil in direct delegates expenditure.

“SCB has recorded an impressive 80% success rate in mid 2011 and with the help of the Anak Sarawak Appreciation Award winners, we hope to keep the momentum going.”

He said the burgeoning meetings, incentives, conferencing and exhibitions (MICE) industry had helped in the development of the state through education and achieved its foreign direct investment targets by bringing in world-class knowledge and expertise.

“Sarawak is definitely capable of providing world-class meeting facilities,” he added.

During the ceremony, SCB also launched its new corporate logo.

Thirty-five recipients received their awards from Taib.

CALVIN YEO

yeop@thestar.com.my

Business & Investment Opportunities

YourVietnamExpert is a division of Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd, Incorporated in Singapore since 1994. As Your Business Companion, we propose a range of services in Consulting, Investment and Management, focusing three main economic sectors: International PR; Healthcare & Wellness;and Tourism & Hospitality. We also propose Higher Education, as a bridge between educational structures and industries, by supporting international programs. Sign up with twitter to get news updates with @SaigonBusinessC. Thanks.