Getting business events to become an economic driver in Sarawak

 As part of our commitment in getting business events as one of the economic drivers, all Sarawak government ministries are expected to commit to organising at least two business events as part of a new framework aimed at strengthening policy delivery and long-term development outcomes. Such requirements will take effect from 2026 onwards and such actions will be directly undertaken into Sarawak’s government operations rather than treating them as stand-alone activities.

I have mentioned these while delivering the keynote address by our right honourable Premier of Sarawak at the official opening ceremony of the inaugural “Sarawak Business Events Forum” recently held at Sheraton Hotel Kuching. The approach in getting things done will be formalised through the “Business Events Sarawak Alliance (BESA) which is expected to deliver positive and tangible results.

The organising of the inaugural business events forums had marked the first milestone of this declaration with the launch of BESA. We have high hopes for the year 2026 where all ministries will enter strategic collaboration with Business Events Sarawak or BE Sarawak in short, in utilising business events as tools for policy delivery, sector development, and long-term legacy creation.

Under the alliance, the ministries will be expected to take ownership of events aligned with their respective portfolios, with emphasis placed on long-term legacy outcomes rather than short-term economic returns. Those that had fulfilled the legacy-driven criteria will receive structured support, including qualification, evaluation and facilitation assistance to ensure consistency and accountability in event delivery.

Local government ministries and agencies will also be involved in targeted training programmes and exposure opportunities to strengthen internal capabilities, improve knowledge transfer and enhance expertise in measuring long-term impact. The strategic alliance is aimed to empower our government ministries and agencies to be business events owners and benefiting the impacts as well.

Such initiative also reflects the state government’s intention to break down silos within the public sector and promote coordinated action across ministries. This is because meaningful progress requires a whole-of-government approach, where every ministry moves with shared purpose, shared responsibility and shared ambition.

Hence, having the declaration is a strategic move that will position business events as long-term instruments for policy delivery and sustainable development. It will serve as a shared commitment by all of us in the public service in utilising business events as tools to advance policies aligned with the Post-Covid Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030). Under the framework, Sarawak will commit to owning and hosting at least two national or international business events, with priority given to homegrown initiatives. BESA will also support capacity building for ministries.