KUCHING: Sarawak is aiming to host 720 business events between 2026 and 2030 under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), with a projected total economic impact reaching RM2.06 billion.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg stated that this commitment aligns with the state’s goal of reinforcing its position as the 'Legacy Capital' for business events in Malaysia and Borneo, and becoming the region's premier destination.

"Sarawak is committed to securing 50 per cent more business events and ensuring that at least 50 per cent of them deliver a measurable legacy by 2030," he said.

The Premier’s speech was delivered by Sarawak Deputy Premier and Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, during the Borneo Inspires Legacy Awards 2025 ceremony here on Friday.

Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari noted that high-impact business events and growing international interest in the state’s business and tourism sectors have accelerated the need for new development in Sarawak.

Touching on the prestigious awards ceremony, he explained that the Borneo Inspires Legacy Awards are open to industry players from around the world as "legacy knows no boundaries and is more effective when shared across nations."

“The Sarawak Government will continue to support the business events industry, and I call upon governments in Malaysia and globally to explore the power of business events as a strategic tool for building a stronger future,” he added.

The ceremony saw UiTM Sarawak Campus recognised with the Honorary Champion Award for the 1st International Conference on Biotechnology, Smart Farming and Entrepreneurship for Food Security 2023.

The Honorary Accelerator Award was presented to the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation Berhad (SDEC) in conjunction with WCIT/IDECS 2023.

Also in attendance were the Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Sarawak Financial Secretary, Dato Sri Dr. Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Operations) and Acting Chairman of Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), Datu Hii Chang Kee, SDEC Chairman, Tan Sri Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani, BESarawak Chief Executive Officer, Amelia Roziman, and InvestSarawak Chief Executive Officer, Timothy Ong Wye Ern. -UKASnews