Ministry reaffirms support for business events in Sarawak

KUCHING (Feb 25): The Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts has reaffirmed its commitment to providing structured support to strengthen Sarawak’s business events ecosystem to sure events deliver measurable social, economic and environmental outcomes.

Its Minister, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said a sustainable ecosystem is crucial for long-term success in an increasingly competitive global landscape.

“Success in business events is defined by the legacy we build together. If you bring the vision, we will bring the ecosystem.

“If you bring the network, we will bring institutional support. If you bring the content and community, we will help you amplify impact and legacy,” he said at a breaking of fast event organised by Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) here on Tuesday night.

The event themed “Satu Meja, Seribu Cerita” will engage government agencies, associations, academia, industry leaders and media across Kuching, Sibu, Miri, Bintulu, Kuala Lumpur and Penang to enhance collaboration, expand future bid pipelines and position business events as a strategic driver of long-term economic and social impact.

Deputy State Secretary (Operations) and BESarawak chairman Datu Hii Chang Kee added that the agency has secured 160 business events for 2025, generating a total economic impact of RM483.5 million, which is a 20 per cent year-on-year increase.

The events brought in more than 58,000 delegates, up 20 per cent from last year, with direct delegate expenditure recorded at RM262.8 million, also a 20 per cent increase compared to 2024.

Hii said BESarawak will continue to explore innovative ways to work with industry players.

Among new initiatives is the Sarawak Business Event Fund Package, which introduces a new incentive tier for smaller events. Previously, Hii said financial support was limited to events bringing in at least 150 delegates.

The revised package now covers events with 25 to 149 delegates, offering funding support ranging from RM7,000 to RM40,000.

“This is to cater for those who are beginners in the industry. Those who are able to bring in smaller groups, we also treasure your support. That is why we are introducing this package,” he said.

Additionally, BESarawak also introduced its Academic Mobility Programme (AMP), which supports university-led study groups and technical visits under the corporate meetings segment.

Hii added that BESarawak provides comprehensive support to event organisers, including bid strategy development, research and insights, funding assistance, and endorsement presentations by relevant government ministries and departments.