Abd Karim: BCCK 2 expected to host over 10,000 people, complete by 2027

KUCHING (Aug 30): Sarawak will be able to accommodate over 10,000 conference delegates by 2027 with the expansion of the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), known as BCCK 2, said Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

According to him, BCCK 2 is expected to be completed in time to host larger international events, including the International Water Association’s (IWA) World Water Congress and Exhibition, scheduled for 2028.

“Sarawak has been selected to host the IWA World Water Congress and Exhibition in 2028, which is why we are expediting the construction of BCCK 2. The current BCCK can accommodate only about 5,000 delegates, but the new facility will be able to host approximately 10,000 delegates or more.

“This expansion will feature a large exhibition area and is expected to be completed by 2027,” he told a press conference at Baitulmakmur Building II in Petra Jaya here today.

Adding on, Abdul Karim said the contractors for the project have already been identified and that the urgency of completing it before 2028 has been emphasised.

“I don’t have the exact details on the project’s cost at hand, but having this facility will significantly benefit business events.

“With the new BCCK 2, we will be able to attract larger conferences and improve our global marketing efforts, especially as our team has been actively marketing Sarawak around the world,” he added.

Also present were Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting; Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak Desmond Douglas Jerukan; Business Events Sarawak chairman Dato Sri Abang Abdul Karim Tun Datuk Abang Openg; Business Events Sarawak chief executive officer Amelia Roziman; Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) vice-chancellor Prof Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit; and senior director of the research, innovation and enterprise centre Prof Dr Lo May Chiun.