Sarawak builds national momentum following record-breaking business events performance

The Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak and BESarawak's Board of Directors at BESarawak's Ramadan engagement night in Kuching.

KUCHING, 26 February 2026: Riding on its strongest performance to date, Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) is leading a nationwide conversation to strengthen Malaysia’s business events ecosystem through a legacy-focused approach aligned with national development priorities. 

Through its Ramadan engagement series themed Satu Meja, Seribu Cerita, Sarawak is bringing together government agencies, associations, academia, industry leaders and media across Kuching, Sibu, Miri, Bintulu, Kuala Lumpur and Penang to reinforce collaboration, expand future bid pipelines, and position business events as a strategic driver of long-term economic and social impact.

The initiative marks a significant step in aligning industry stakeholders at a critical juncture of the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030, ensuring that business events continue to deliver measurable value beyond the visitor economy and contribute meaningfully to Sarawak and Malaysia’s broader development agenda.

“As we enter the final phase of the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030, this is a critical window for us to strengthen alignment across the ecosystem and sustain collaboration at its highest level. At this stage, a cohesive industry moving in the same direction matters more than ever,” said Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah at the first Ramadan engagement in Kuching, held on February 24, 2026.

Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah during his appreciation speech.

“Through BESarawak, the Ministry will continue to actively support organisers in delivering impactful business events in Sarawak by refining concepts, strengthening innovation, and aligning programmes with our broader development priorities. We remain committed to working hand in hand with the industry to ensure that every stakeholder is empowered to contribute meaningfully and generate lasting outcomes for industries, communities, and the wider economy,” the Minister added.

Over the next four years, we will be guided by three pillars to transform Sarawak into a business events destination of strategic value: transformation and innovation, legacy and impact, and partnerships and people,” said Deputy State Secretary (Operation) and Chairman of BESarawak, Datu Hii Chang Kee. “This means stronger bid support, designing events with built-in legacy outcomes and closer collaboration with government, academia and industry stakeholders who can strengthen the overall impact.”

“Legacy impact remains central to our strategy. To achieve lasting impact, our ecosystem — government, associations, academia, industry, and media — must remain cohesive and aligned. Our collaboration must continue beyond the event so that the true value is sustained long after the event is held,” said Acting CEO of BESarawak, Jason Tan Chin Foo.

Sarawak’s focus on the ecosystem continues to deliver measurable results. In 2025, Sarawak recorded its strongest performance to date, with 160 business events secured for up to 2030, representing a projected total economic value of RM483.5 million. Sarawak also hosted 159 business events in FY2025 alone, marking a 27% increase from the previous year and generating RM491.4 million in total economic impact. 

BESarawak’s Ramadan engagement series brings together government agencies, associations, academia, industry leaders and media to reinforce collaboration and more.