Sabah set to shine as global business events hub in 2026

Liew (left) being briefed by Dr Rosmawati (right).
KOTA KINABALU (June 11): Sabah will enter the next phase of its journey as a regional business events (BE) hub next year.
Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) chief executive officer Datuk Dr Hajah Rosmawati Lasuki said the third edition of BE in Sabah is scheduled to take place from Feb 4-5 next year under the new theme 'Global Collaboration Through Business Events'. It is jointly organised by SICC and MACEOS Sabah Chapter.
'The 2026 edition will mark a turning point, not just a forum but a full-scale live demonstration of the strength and potential of global business events.
'BE in Sabah 2026 will bring together decision makers, organisers and associations from around the world, not just to connect but to experience the global business events ecosystem in motion,' Dr Rosmawati said when briefing Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Christina Liew on Monday.
Sabah, which delivers a seamless, professional experience through a trusted supply chain, world class venues, efficient logistics and rich cultural heritage, is where the world meets and where business events move forward together, she added.
Liew said the continued support from her ministry (KePKAS), together with international bodies such as International Congress and Convention Association and local agencies, including the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau and Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers, has played a pivotal role in elevating BE in Sabah into a respectable regional forum from the time it was first introduced in 2024 to raise greater awareness among local BE players.
'More importantly, aggressive international marketing efforts by Dr Rosmawati and her team have significantly raised the visibility of Sabah on the global business events map. Sabah's participation in the ICCA Congress 2024 in Abu Dhabi, UAE, has borne fruit,' she said.
Dr Rosmawati expressed her appreciation for unwavering support from KePKAS and the Chief Minister's Office.
'From high-level dialogues to impactful connections, BE in Sabah is now drawing attention as a serious platform for international business collaboration,' she said.
Briefing the minister, she said 161 international delegates representing 29 countries attended this year's edition of BE in Sabah, themed 'Empowering Asia Pacific Through Business Events'. The two-day forum highlighted global insights, sustainability, and strategic partnerships.
'The event also delivered tangible economic returns for Sabah. Direct delegate expenditure was recorded at RM899,364, a significant increase from RM588,800 in 2024.
'Similarly, the total economic impact soared from RM1.38 million in 2024 to RM2.1 million in 2025. This reflects a growing confidence and participation in Sabah's business events landscape.
'Tax revenue also increased from RM35,328 in 2024 to RM53,961 this year, while the number of jobs supported rose from 100 to 120. This indicates broader economic stimulation across the tourism, hospitality, and service sectors,' Dr Rosmawati shared.
Also present were the ministry's Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai, SICC Director of Finance Catherina Wee, Assistant Director of Corporate Communications Clara Lim, and Assistant Manager of Corporate Communications Rachel Hee.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Daily Express

a day ago

• Daily Express

Sabah tourism created 380,000 jobs: Hajiji

Published on: Friday, June 20, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 20, 2025 By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: Liew officiates the event while others look on. Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor reaffirmed that tourism remains a key economic driver for Sabah, underscoring its role in job creation, rural empowerment and sustainable development. 'In 2023, the sector contributed RM13.1 billion to Sabah's economy and supported more than 380,000 jobs across various sectors,' he said, when launching the Asean Travel Exchange (Atex) 2025, here, Thursday. His speech was delivered by State Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Seri Christina Liew. Advertisement Hajiji also praised the growth of community-based tourism, particularly in rural districts where local villagers curate authentic Sabahan experiences. 'In 2024 alone, this sector generated RM7 million in revenue from 18 active districts,' he said and reiterated the State Government's commitment to supporting the sector through infrastructure development and digital enhancement. 'We are upgrading Kota Kinabalu International Airport, improving road access to rural destinations, and expanding digital platforms to manage and promote tourism more effectively,' he said. Hajiji said Sabah is on track to build a future-ready, resilient tourism economy driven by sustainability, technology and cultural identity. Advertisement 'Our vision is for Sabah to be a peace hub, a place where development goes hand in hand with conservation, heritage, and harmony.' He said Atex 2025 marks a turning point for Sabah, serving not only as a platform to showcase the state but also to position it as a strategic partner in shaping the future of Asean tourism. It was organised by the Asean Tourism Association (Aseanta), Federation of Asean Travel Associations (Fata), and Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) and brought together over 400 delegates, including more than 200 international buyers from 15 countries and is seen as a strategic platform to strengthen regional tourism cooperation and business linkages. Atex 2025 is the first tourism trade platform led by the private sector under the Asean umbrella. Meanwhile, Sabah is confident of reaching its target of 3.5 million tourist arrivals this year, said Liew. Liew revealed that over one million tourists had already visited Sabah between January and April 2025, generating RM1 billion in tourism revenue. This marks an 18 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024. She said the strong start to the year reflects growing interest in Sabah as a destination, which is further supported by the confidence shown by Asean partners through their participation in Atex 2025. 'This is the first time all 10 Asean countries are represented in a tourism event hosted in Sabah, with around 500 delegates attending. 'It's a wonderful programme and a clear sign of the trust and confidence Asean countries have in Sabah,' she said. Liew also stressed that Sabah's strategic location in the heart of Asean positions it as a natural gateway for connectivity and collaboration within the region. 'Sabah is ideally located and increasingly serves as a bridge between regional travel markets. 'I believe this event will lead to stronger ties and more cooperation that will benefit Sabah's tourism sector,' she said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia

The Sun

a day ago

• The Sun

Asean urged to set minimum wage standard, provide stronger support to keep women in workforce

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and other Asean member countries should collectively establish a minimum wage standard to prevent the bloc from undercutting one another with lower salaries. 'It is important that Malaysia and Asean economies collectively set a floor to ensure there is no race-to-the-bottom in wage suppression as women will be most hurt,' Investment, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Liew Chin Tong said in his speech at the Women Economic Forum Asean 2025 today. He pointed out that the theme for Malaysia's Asean chairmanship in 2025 is 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', reflecting its commitment to ensuring shared progress and prosperity across the region, leaving no one behind as it aims to achieve stability and resilience. Liew said Malaysia's female labour participation rate remains low at 56%, compared to 82.9% for men, which is lower than many of the Southeast Asian economies. He said the Malaysian economy has been depending on unskilled and cheap foreign labour for the last three decades, which has kept wages low and made businesses less likely to hire women. 'If there are too many foreign workers, the salaries will be lower, and it will no longer be attractive to women entering the formal sector. That is a challenge that we have to deal with as a nation.' Liew said the nation needs more skilled workers and a higher wage level to attract more women into the formal labour market. 'A tight labour market will encourage employers to pay more attention to making it more attractive for women to join the workforce.' Liew highlighted that 65% of Malaysian public university students are women, indicating a higher enrolment rate of women compared to men. 'However, the balance changes upon these graduates entering the workforce.' Therefore, Liew called for stronger support systems to help women remain in the workforce over the long term. 'We need to have a stronger childcare, aged care and overall healthcare structure to support women in the workforce. We need a strong care economy.' Liew also said Malaysia is an example of high women's participation in economic decision-making at the higher level, but a low overall female labour participation rate. In Malaysia, women account for 58% of the civil service, and 42% of senior positions (JUSA/Super Scale C and above), a figure Liew described as 'quite high among developing countries'. Liew said 69% of staff are women within the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry. He added that Malaysia mandates 30% female representation on public-listed company boards since 2023, with high compliance so far. The Women Economic Forum Asean 2025, organised by Yayasan Bina Kesejahteraan with the support of Miti was graced by Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, wife of the prime minister, and Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Shariff.

Daily Express

a day ago

• Daily Express

Sabah tourism creates over 380,000 jobs: CM

Published on: Thursday, June 19, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 19, 2025 Text Size: Liew officiates the event while others look on. KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said tourism continues to be Sabah's main economic driver, contributing more than 380,000 jobs across various sectors. He said, in a speech delivered by Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew, that the sector accounted for around 15 per cent of the state's GDP in 2023, generating RM13.1 billion in revenue. Advertisement Community-based tourism alone brought in RM7 million last year from 18 active districts, with more rural initiatives in the pipeline. The State Government is investing in infrastructure upgrades, including the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) and rural access roads, alongside digital platforms to enhance tourism services. Hajiji said hosting Asean Travel Exchange (Atex) 2025 is a key milestone in positioning Sabah as a regional tourism partner, while also highlighting the sector's potential for sustainable and inclusive growth. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia