KUCHING, Malaysia, Dec. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sarawak's business events sector concludes the fiscal year with highlights including record-breaking event performances, impactful initiatives, and exceptional international recognition.
Record-Breaking Performance
In FY2024, Sarawak secured 111 business events, surpassing its target of 100 events by 111%. These events will generate an estimated total economic impact of RM313.6 million, including RM170.4 million from direct delegate expenditure by 38,248 attendees.
Between 2022 and 2024, Sarawak upheld an unbroken record of 100% success in bidding with major wins for this year such as the Asian Congress on Occupational Health (ACOH) 2026 and the 15th World Congress and Exhibition on Design and Health (WCDH) 2026.
As for hosted events, Sarawak broke the record with 124 business events across Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, and Miri. These events generated RM375.2 million in total economic impact, including RM204 million from direct delegate expenditure by 45,758 delegates.
Some major events that took place were the Asia Pacific Green Hydrogen Conference & Exhibition (APGH) 2024, the 10th World Congress of Herpetology (WCH 2024), and the 21st International Congress for Tropical Medicine & Malaria (ICTMM 2024).
"100% of events secured in 2024 align with the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030. Business events are helping us progress towards the 2030 goal of economic prosperity, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability," said The Hon. Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahmah Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak. "2025 will be a year of outstanding innovation and collaboration, cementing Sarawak's position as the legacy capital of business events in Malaysia and Borneo, and a leading business events destination in Asia."
Sarawak's Worldwide Impact
In April, Sarawak made history as the first destination in the world to host the ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) Association Impact Masterclass. The two-day class, hosted by BESarawak, certified 19 association and industry leaders as association impact leaders.
In August, a memorandum of understanding was signed between BESarawak and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) to conduct Malaysia's first economic and legacy impact study. The economic impact study will generate updated economic data while the legacy impact study will help to develop the world's first legacy impact measurement system.
Sarawak also made headlines after winning the 'Best Sustainable Initiative - Destination' category at the M&C (Meetings & Conventions) Asia Stella Awards in 2024.
"The award recognises the Business Events Sarawak Legacy (BESLegacy) Initiative as the most innovative programme in Asia focusing on social, economic, and environmental sustainability," said Dato Sri Abang Haji Abdul Karim Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, BESarawak's Chairman. "Our landmark moments reflect the collaborative spirit of BESarawak's team and stakeholders to transform Sarawak into a competitive regional hub for business events."
Meanwhile, Amelia Roziman, CEO of BESarawak, expressed "FY2024 has been a great year for optimising opportunities. Looking at event legacies is an essential perspective. While more destinations are entering this space, Sarawak is maturing up and leveraging this growth."
"In 2025, we are enhancing our business events campaign, Tribe Legacy Sarawak, with new programmes and state-of-the-art tools that allow us to deliver the brand promise of driving impact together," Roziman continued.
Other key activities in FY2024 included generating new business from more than 20 key tradeshows around the world, attracting over 2,000 visitors to its standalone pavilion at IMEX Frankfurt, and making a critical presence at the first EventXpo in Kuala Lumpur. In Q1 2025, Sarawak will launch the first legacy impact measurement system.
ABOUT BUSINESS EVENTS SARAWAK
BESarawak was established in 2006 by the Sarawak Government as a non-profit convention and exhibition bureau to promote Sarawak for national and international business events. Support and services include, but are not limited to, developing and bidding for business events of interest, funding assistance and crafting itineraries. BESarawak is also known as 'Biro Konvensyen Sarawak' (Bahasa Malaysia) or ç ‚æ‹‰è¶Šä¼šè®®å±€ (Mandarin). www.businesseventssarawak.com
ABOUT BUSINESS EVENTS' LEGACY IMPACT
'Legacy impact' refers to the long-term, positive benefits that business events bring to sectors, communities, trade and investment, the environment, and governance. Sarawak is the first in Malaysia and Borneo to focus on legacy impact as a sustainable method of measuring the value of business events. Business events are listed as one of six sectors in the Sarawak Government's Post COVID-19 Development Strategy to achieve economic prosperity, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability by 2030.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Sarawak Celebrates Another Milestone Year for Business Events
For Sustainability Achievement
HONG KONG, Dec. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tam Jai International Co. Limited ("TJI", "Tam Jai International", "Tam Jai" or the "Company", and together with its subsidiaries, the "Group"; HKEX stock code: 2217), one of the leading and renowned restaurant groups in Hong Kong, has been recognised in multiple awards regarding environmental, social and governance ("ESG"), including the 2023 Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence, the Hong Kong Green Shop Alliance Award 2024, the Universal Design Award Scheme 2024/25 and the ESG Achievement Awards 2023/2024. These awards are a testament to the Group's unremitting efforts in fulfilling its environmental and social responsibilities, as well as its leadership in sustainable development. The Group has also signed the charter of the "Food Wise Hong Kong Campaign" launched by the Environmental Protection Department ("EPD"), pledging to support food waste recycling and reduce food waste, thereby driving the industry towards a greener future.
The Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence, hailed as the environmental industry's equivalent of the Oscars, is led by the Environmental Campaign Committee alongside the Environment and Ecology Bureau and in conjunction with nine organisations. Based on three judging criteria, namely green leadership, programme and performance, and partner synergy, the award aims to honour organisations with outstanding performance in implementing comprehensive and excellent environmental management. As first-time participants of the competition, the Group's flagship brands TamJai Yunnan Mixian ("TamJai") and TamJai SamGor Mixian ("SamGor") stood out among 3,500 participating organisations and received the Silver Award and the Certificate of Merit respectively in the restaurants category, reaffirming the Group's commitment to practising and promoting green and sustainable development. In addition, the Group was recognised by the Hong Kong Green Shop Alliance Award for the second year in a row, with "TamJai" and "SamGor'" winning the "Excellent Green Practices Award – Waste Management" this year. The Group also received the Outstanding ESG Awards (Listed Company) - Platinum Awards at the ESG Achievement Awards 2023/2024, organised by the Institute of ESG & Benchmark (IESGB).
The Group has been sparing no effort in waste management. In addition to signing the "Food Wise Hong Kong" charter of the EPD, "SamGor" and "TamJai" were awarded under the Diamond and Gold Class of the "Food Wise Eateries Scheme" by the EPD, respectively, in recognition of the Group's efforts and commitment to food cherishing, food waste reduction and recycling, effectively realising resource circulation. The Group also strives to promote food cherishing among the mass public, thereby reducing food waste at the source.
To promote the green development of the industry, the Group has pioneered the launch of a number of environmental protection measures. In addition to implementing a "plastic-free" takeaway policy to encourage customers to use reusable utensils, the Group has also expanded the "Less Mixian" or "Light Mixian" order options to third-party takeaway platforms to encourage customers to choose the right amount of mixian (rice noodles) for their appetite and promote waste reduction at the source. Incorporating green elements to its community outreach initiatives, the Group also regularly donates edible surplus ingredients from its central kitchen to collaborate with charitable organisations in preparing lunch boxes for those in need.
In terms of social responsibility, "TamJai" and "SamGor" won silver awards in the Universal Design Award Scheme 2024/25, organised by the Equal Opportunities Commission, highlighting the contribution of the Group's restaurants to creating an inclusive environment. In the spirit of "Passion to Serve", the Group is committed to providing a comfortable and convenient dining environment to meet the needs of different groups such as the elderly, people with special needs, and young families with baby strollers. The Group will continue to optimise the store design and services in the future to enhance the dining experience for different customers.
Mr. Daren Lau, Chairman, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of TJI, "With 'Preserving Nature', 'Nourishing Communities' and 'Uplifting People' as the core pillars of its ESG strategic framework, the Group is committed to making positive contributions to the environment and the community through a range of measures while developing its business. It is a great honour and encouragement for us to be recognised and commended in several prestigious ESG awards in the industry. We are committed to being at the forefront of sustainable development in the F&B industry. Going forward, we will continue to actively work with all stakeholders to strengthen the practice of environmental and social responsibility and jointly contribute to the construction of a sustainable future."
About Tam Jai International Co. Limited (HKEX: 2217)
As one of the leading restaurant groups in Hong Kong, TJI has rapidly expanded its network to over 240 stores across various markets, including Mainland China, Singapore, Japan and Australia, with plans to enter the Philippines and Malaysia. Apart from self-operating restaurants, the Group also adopts alternative models such as joint venture, franchise or strategic partnership for overseas markets. The Group's portfolio of distinguished brands includes TamJai Yunnan Mixian (èšä»”雲å—米線), TamJai SamGor Mixian (èšä»”三哥米線), and the Japanese dining brands, Marugame Seimen and Yakiniku Yamagyu, through franchise and licensing in Hong Kong.
With highly standardised operations, an innovative spirit and an efficient management model, TJI is committed to providing customers with a quality yet affordable dining experience while ambitiously expanding its footprints across the globe. The Group has been listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (stock code: 02217.HK) since October 2021.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Tam Jai lnt'l Wins HKAEE Award and Multiple ESG Accolades
