Borneo Expo kicks off

Kota Kinabalu: The Borneo Expo 2024 (BE24) is another platform crucial for Sabahan businesses to blossom.

The business event which includes programs such as business matchmaking and the Young Entrepreneurs Forum is held in collaboration with Business Network International (BNI) and Persatuan Usahawan Maju Malaysia (PUMM).

Officiating the event at Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) on Friday, Datuk Christina Liew said more than 30 business associations and more than 100 visitors from outside of Sabah were invited.

“Having delegates from more than 10 countries to come together for this Business Tourism event raises the hope of bridging Sabahans with the global economy.

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CHIEF Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor’s 2021 Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya Plan and the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (SEDIA) have laid out a road map to an exciting future for all Sabahans, with a target of increasing Sabah’s income levels and GDP per capita from about RM 23,000 to about RM 40,000 by 2030.

“The expo has also taken the initiative Sarawakians and West Malaysians.

They have also, through BNI, invited participants from Taiwan, Singapore, China, Indonesia, Thailand, and many more countries.

“Thus, economic opportunities are open to not just tourism industry players but also to all other related business sectors,” the Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister said in her speech.

With the concept of ‘Unlocking Sabah’s Opportunities’, BE24 focuses on nurturing business collaboration among Sabahans as well as introducing Sabahan businesses to locals and other countries.

Christina said more exhibitions of the nature should be organised especially for the benefit of the local economy.

“This is how Sabahan businesses grow to be more competitive and innovative.

“BE 2024 has the capacity to help local SME entrepreneurs broaden their networks, create domestic or international business relationships, promoting knowledge exchange and providing a platform to showcase their products or services as well as promoting Sabah as an ideal destination for MICE tourism,” she said.

MICE stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions.

She said Sabah has what it takes to be a MICE tourism destination, given its top-notch infrastructure such as SICC, rated as the largest convention, exhibition and entertainment facility in East Malaysia.

“The Sabah Tourism Board is aggressively promoting Sabah as a preferred destination for MICE tourism. In fact, we have set up the Sabah Convention Bureau to boost MICE Tourism through roadshows abroad. We are doing very well in this respect.

“Beginning last year, Sabah has played host to MICE events where foreign companies rewarded their employees with incentive trips to Sabah, among other initiatives,” she said.

Christina said more than 10 MICE events have been planned for the current year, including the International Wholistic Wellness Conference and Expo (IWWCE 2024) and the 42nd Conference of the Asean Federation of Engineering Organisations (Cafeo 42).

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