MyCEB and BESarawak Forges Biggest National Collaboration for Business Events

KUCHING, SARAWAK – 22 October 2021: Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) and Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) forged the biggest business events collaboration in Malaysia today for “Meet in Malaysia @ Sarawak” roadshow in conjunction with the launch of Kuching as a member of the Hybrid City Alliance. 

“Meet in Malaysia” campaign is MyCEB’s brainchild to captivate engagement with the national business events industry and powering its move to support recovery efforts, MyCEB recently joined Hybrid City Alliance — a partnership launched in December 2020 to offer solutions for national and international events taking place across multiple cities. The partnership includes Kuching, represented by BESarawak, and positions the city as one of four knowledge capitals in the country for regional and international hybrid events.

Berambeh session with Industry players

The inclusion of Kuching in the Alliance is expected to create new value proposition for business events planners and increase Sarawak’s destination appeal. Meanwhile, joining the Hybrid City Alliance is a strong point for the Sarawak Government as the Post Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 pinpoints digital transformation as an enabler to expedite economic growth, social development, and environmental sustainability.

“Hybrid events are a key example of how Sarawak’s business events are proceeding with digital transformation. The new world today requires us to adopt methods that will increase productivity and efficiency, and create a conducive enabling environment.” stated Sarawak’s Chief Minister, The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg. “While we accelerate our digital capabilities, there is still an emphasis on the importance of face-to-face meetings. Hybrid events will enhance the event experience and engagement, allowing greater reach to disseminate knowledge and create new regional and cross-continental partnerships while supporting the state government’s efforts under PCDS.”

Agreeing on the importance of face-to-face meetings, speaking at the event was Malaysia’s Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, The Honourable Dato Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri, who drew attention to the significance outcome of collaboration with Sarawak in Meet in Malaysia campaign. 

“Sarawak has been seen as an elusive business events destinations with unique attributes in Malaysia. I am pleased to see MyCEB collaborated well with the state government in bidding international conferences.  Since 2010 until 2020, MyCEB has supported 86 events for Sarawak, bringing in over 40,000 delegates which have contributed RM457.0 million in estimated economic impact. Under the Meet in Malaysia campaign since its launch on 24 July 2020 the campaign has supported four events that will be held in Sarawak, expecting 2,600 delegates and contributing to RM26.9 million in estimated economic impact”, said The Honourable Dato Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia.

Noor Ahmad Hamid, COO of MyCEB

At the same event, Sarawak’s Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, The Honourable Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah stressed that the business of meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions is not a social activity, but instead, an economic activity that contributes to the economic transformation of Malaysia and the world. Besides tourism, other economic beneficiaries are sectors such as manufacturing, education, technology, and retail.

To date, Sarawak has secured 105 business events worth approximately RM332.1 million in total economic impact, RM20 million in tax revenue and 26,354 jobs. 

“I encourage planners to experience our destination and organise business events in Sarawak. My ministry will support you all the way through our agency,” Sarawak’s Minister continued. 

BESarawak’s incentivised packages are suitable for hybrid, physical, and homegrown events and can be combined with MyCEB’s own support packages to double the resources and ensure the success of business events hosted in Sarawak.