KUCHING: Sarawak secured a total of 111 business events this year, surpassing its initial target of 100 events, which would generate an estimated total economic impact of RM313.6 million, including RM170.4 million from direct delegate expenditure by 38,248 attendees.
Between 2022 and 2024, Sarawak also upheld an unbroken record of 100 per cent success in bidding with major wins for this year such as the Asian Congress on Occupational Health (ACOH) 2026 and the 15th World Congress and Exhibition on Design and Health (WCDH) 2026.
As for hosted events, Sarawak broke the record with 124 business events across Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, and Miri.
These events generated RM375.2 million in total economic impact, including RM204 million from direct delegate expenditure by 45,758 delegates.
Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said 100 per cent of events secured in 2024 align with the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030.
“Business events are helping us progress towards the 2030 goal of economic prosperity, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability,” he said in a text speech read out by Deputy Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan during the Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak)’s ‘Sports and Glam’ games, held here yesterday (Dec 17).
He said 2025 will be a year of outstanding innovation and collaboration, cementing Sarawak’s position as the legacy capital of business events in Malaysia and Borneo, and a leading business events destination in Asia.
In the meantime, Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) chairman Datuk Seri Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg said Sarawak also made headlines after winning the ‘Best Sustainable Initiative — Destination’ category at the M&C (Meetings & Conventions) Asia Stella Awards in 2024.
“The award recognises the Business Events Sarawak Legacy (BESLegacy) Initiative as the most innovative programme in Asia focusing on social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
“Our landmark moments reflect the collaborative spirit of BESarawak’s team and stakeholders to transform Sarawak into a competitive regional hub for business events.”
On another note, chief executive officer of BESarawak Amelia Roziman said 2024 has been a great year for optimising opportunities.
“Looking at event legacies is an essential perspective. While more destinations are entering this space, Sarawak is maturing up and leveraging this growth.
“In 2025, we are enhancing our business events campaign, Tribe Legacy Sarawak, with new programmes and state-of-the-art tools that allow us to deliver the brand promise of driving impact together,” she said, adding that Sarawak will launch the first legacy impact measurement system.
