In FY2024, Sarawak achieved an impressive milestone by securing 111 business events, surpassing its initial target of 100 events by an outstanding 11%. These events are expected to generate a total economic impact of RM313.6 million, with RM170.4 million coming from direct delegate expenditure, based on the participation of 38,248 attendees. This achievement highlights Sarawak’s growing influence in the global business events landscape.
Between 2022 and 2024, Sarawak maintained an exceptional record of 100% success in securing bids for major international events. Some of the notable wins in 2024 include the upcoming Asian Congress on Occupational Health (ACOH) 2026 and the 15th World Congress and Exhibition on Design and Health (WCDH) 2026. These victories further cement Sarawak’s position as a leading destination for prestigious global conferences and exhibitions.
In terms of hosted events, Sarawak set a new record by successfully hosting 124 business events across various cities such as Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, and Miri. These events resulted in an impressive RM375.2 million in total economic impact, including RM204 million generated from direct delegate expenditure by 45,758 delegates. Among the major events hosted were the Asia Pacific Green Hydrogen Conference & Exhibition (APGH) 2024, the 10th World Congress of Herpetology (WCH 2024), and the 21st International Congress for Tropical Medicine & Malaria (ICTMM 2024), all of which attracted significant international attention.
Speaking about the success of 2024, The Hon. Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahmah Hamzah, the Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak, remarked that all of the events secured this year are in line with the state’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030. He emphasized that business events are crucial for advancing the state’s objectives of economic prosperity, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability. Looking ahead to 2025, he expressed optimism that the year would be marked by outstanding innovation and collaboration, further solidifying Sarawak’s reputation as the legacy capital of business events in both Malaysia and Borneo, as well as a leading business events destination in Asia.
Sarawak’s global impact continued to grow in 2024, with the state making history by becoming the first destination worldwide to host the ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) Association Impact Masterclass. This two-day event, hosted by BESarawak, led to the certification of 19 association and industry leaders as association impact leaders, demonstrating Sarawak’s commitment to developing global leadership in the business events sector.
In August, BESarawak also entered into a partnership with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) to launch Malaysia’s first-ever economic and legacy impact study. This study will provide valuable updated economic data and contribute to the development of the world’s first-ever legacy impact measurement system. This move demonstrates Sarawak’s dedication to creating long-term, meaningful change through business events.
Sarawak’s commitment to sustainability was also recognized on the international stage when the state won the ‘Best Sustainable Initiative – Destination’ category at the 2024 M&C Asia Stella Awards. The award acknowledged the innovative BESarawak Legacy (BESLegacy) Initiative, which focuses on driving social, economic, and environmental sustainability through business events. Dato Sri Abang Haji Abdul Karim Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, the Chairman of BESarawak, highlighted that this award is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the BESarawak team and stakeholders, working together to transform Sarawak into a competitive hub for business events.
Amelia Roziman, CEO of BESarawak, reflected on FY2024 as a year that optimized opportunities and further established the importance of understanding the legacies of events. She noted that while other destinations are emerging in this space, Sarawak is maturing and taking full advantage of the opportunities presented by this growing sector. She also mentioned that in 2025, the Tribe Legacy Sarawak campaign will be enhanced with new programs and cutting-edge tools that will allow the state to continue delivering on its promise of driving lasting impact through collaboration.
Furthermore, Sarawak’s efforts in expanding its global presence were demonstrated by its participation in over 20 key tradeshows around the world in FY2024. The state attracted more than 2,000 visitors to its standalone pavilion at IMEX Frankfurt and made a strong impact at the inaugural EventXpo in Kuala Lumpur. Looking ahead, Sarawak is set to launch the world’s first legacy impact measurement system in Q1 2025, marking another milestone in the state’s ongoing commitment to shaping the future of business events.
