SRI AMAN: The 22nd Edition of the Pesta Benak Festival, which will be held for three days in Sri Aman this year, is expected to attract around 70,000 visitors, thus livening up the atmosphere and giving a boost to local economic activities.
Sarawak Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development and Simanggang Assemblyman, Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, said the large number would directly benefit residents through an increase in business activities in the festival area.
“A total of 609 stalls selling goods, food and beverages to meet the needs and demands of visitors.
“So from an economic point of view, the presence of visitors flooding around the Pesta Benak site will generate income and the flow of buying and selling transactions between buyers and sellers, directly contributing to the income and socio-economic status of entrepreneurs and traders in the Sri Aman division,” he said.
He said this when speaking at the Opening Ceremony of the 22nd Edition of the Pesta Benak which was officiated by the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, on Saturday.
Also present were Minister in the Premier’s Department of Sarawak Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai, Deputy Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, Sri Aman Division Resident Mahra Salleh, heads of departments and other guests of honour.
Datuk Francis Harden, who is also the Advisor to the Pesta Benak 2025 Organising Committee, informed that this year’s organisers are introducing new approach in arranging stalls to ensure the smooth running of the programme.
“The approach taken includes arranging stall lots in clusters, for example halal and non-halal food sections, handicrafts, corporate and government body exhibitions and local products.
“So there is a more structured positioning plan that does not disrupt traffic flow and visitor movement and also an action plan and strategy to ensure that the Pesta Benak site remains clean,” he said. — UKASnews
