KUCHING: Beginning in 2026, all ministries will enter into strategic collaborations with Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) to utilise business events as tools for policy delivery, sector development, and the creation of long-term legacies.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the initiative is aligned with the launch of the Business Events Sarawak Alliance (BESA), marking an early milestone in the implementation of the declaration.
“Through BESA, every ministry is committed to owning and organising at least two business events based on the Borneo Legacy Declaration, either at the national or international level.
“These events will be given priority consideration under the Sarawak Business Events Fund to ensure that each initiative receives the necessary support to grow and succeed,” he said.
He said this in his speech text read by Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, during the Sarawak Business Events Forum 2025 at a hotel here today.
Meanwhile, Sarawak takes pride in being the first destination to adopt the Borneo Legacy Declaration – a commitment to developing an inclusive, sustainable and future-ready economy.
“Through this adoption, Sarawak is committed to integrating business events into government economic policies via a whole-of-government approach, translating global expertise into local benefits.
“This includes measuring long-term outcomes rather than merely short-term outputs, as well as strengthening Sarawak’s global reputation as a legacy-driven destination,” he said.
He added that BESA will also assist in terms of eligibility, evaluation and facilitation of funding for events that are endorsed and supported by respective ministries, subject to compliance with legacy-based criteria and established evaluation requirements.
“This approach will ensure consistency, accountability and meaningful impact across all supported events,” he added.
Additionally, ministries and agencies will be invited to participate in targeted training and education programmes, as well as attend selected national and international business events through BESA.
“These steps will strengthen event-hosting capabilities, enhance knowledge transfer, and build expertise in measuring legacy impact.
“As such, this collaboration empowers ministries not merely as participants, but as owners of impact,” he said.
According to him, business events are no longer optional activities, but strategic national instruments that connect policies with the people, visions with actions and aspirations with measurable legacies.
“To achieve this goal, all ministries and agencies must move in unison by leveraging high-impact catalysts, including business events.
“This step serves as a strategic instrument to deliver measurable impact for Sarawak towards 2030,” he said.
