Sarawak steps up efforts to attract Business Events from Singapore

SINGAPORE, 17 April 2026 - Sarawak is stepping up its efforts to bring more business events from Singapore to the East Malaysian State. The organisation behind this push, Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), recently held a networking session titled BESarawak Destination Update & Networking Session in Singapore that brought together more than 70 event organisers and industry partners.

Held alongside The Meetings Show Asia Pacific, a major industry event for the region, it gave Sarawak a chance to meet face-to-face with the people who plan and organise large-scale meetings, conferences, and corporate travel in Singapore.

The session was put together with help from the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office in Singapore (STATOS). It provided a look at how Sarawak fits into the State’s long-term development plan, Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030. The idea is to help event planners connect their programmes to Sarawak’s real-world goals and make events more meaningful.

There was also strong interest in a new programme called the Academic Mobility Programme (AMP). Under this scheme, universities can bring students on study trips and technical tours to Sarawak, thus linking their research and learning directly to industries in the State.

“Singapore represents a high-value source market for Sarawak, with its strong base of regional headquarters, international associations, professional conference organisers, travel agents and destination management companies. This positions Sarawak to capture business events expanding beyond Singapore, particularly those seeking destinations that deliver impact, value, and distinctive experiences. As priorities shift towards long-term impact, Sarawak, supported by strong connectivity from Singapore, is positioned as a strategic partner, not just a host destination,” said Acting Chief Executive Officer of BESarawak, Jason Tan Chin Foo.

STATOS, which operates as Sarawak’s representative office in Singapore, works closely with local event companies and travel agents. Its job is to bridge the gap between those who want to organise events in Sarawak and the people who can make it happen on the ground.

“Our role is to turn interest into action by connecting organisers with the right partners and opportunities in Sarawak. As awareness of Sarawak continues to grow among Singapore-based organisers, we are focused on showcasing the destination as a modern, well-equipped choice with the right attractions, infrastructure, and capabilities to support high-quality programmes. Through consistent engagement, we help build confidence and make it easier for organisers to develop and deliver their events in Sarawak,” said its Chief Executive Officer, Chew Chang Guan.

Sarawak is increasingly seen as a good place to hold corporate trips and incentive travel. Companies are drawn to the State’s offerings of culture, outdoor adventure, nature, food, and festivals, promising experiences that stand out compared to more conventional destinations. Good flight connections from Singapore also make it easy to get there.

BESarawak and STATOS stated that they planned to keep up their outreach in Singapore, one of the most important markets for bringing international business events to Sarawak.