KUCHING: The International Medical Tourism Conference (IMTC) 2025, organised by Empire Consortium Sdn Bhd (EMCO), a Sarawak-based company, will take place on November 11-12 at the Imperial Hotel Kuching, with the theme ‘Unlocking Borneo as the Next Medical Tourism Frontier’.
The event, endorsed by Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Deputy Sarawak Premier and Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, marks a major step in Sarawak’s ambition to emerge as a regional leader in medical tourism.
The two-day conference aims to position medical tourism as Sarawak’s next growth industry, one that attracts new investments, drives innovation, and creates skilled jobs across healthcare, wellness and hospitality sectors.
Sarawak hopes to offer a blend of advanced healthcare and world-class tourism experiences that appeal to regional and international travellers, with close public-private collaboration.
Organising Chair, Sharifah Azizah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, said the conference would highlight Sarawak’s growing healthcare ecosystem, combining its natural charm with local expertise.
“Sarawak’s appeal lies in its people, its nature and its growing healthcare capacity,” she said.
Conference Director, Nida Hamid, added that the event was a proud milestone for Sarawak.
“IMTC is the start of a movement to brand Borneo as a hub for healing, wellness and cross-border care,” she said.
The conference will feature a distinguished line-up, including Health Director-General, Datuk Dr Mahathar Abdul Wahab; and Normah Medical Specialist Centre’s Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Dr Au Yong Kien Hoe; who will discuss Malaysia’s evolving healthcare landscape.
Other sessions will feature Datuk Seri Dr Vincent Tiew of KL Wellness City on integrated wellness development, Brent Yap of the Malaysian Business Council (UAE) on ASEAN-Middle East investment linkages, and Raymond Chua of Care Collective on assisted-living models in Sarawak.
A fireside chat with Tan Sri Datuk Seri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, Chairman of UCSI Healthcare Group and former Health Director-General, will explore ‘Future-Proofing Healthcare: Innovation, Accessibility and Trust in Cross-Border Medical Tourism’.
The conference will conclude with closing remarks by Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, Datuk Snowdan Lawan, reaffirming the state’s commitment to building a resilient healthcare-tourism ecosystem.
IMTC 2025 enjoys strong support from MPHLG, MTCP, and Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), alongside active private-sector participation, underscoring rising confidence in Sarawak’s healthcare potential.
Looking ahead, EMCO plans to expand IMTC into an annual international showcase featuring B2B investment forums, innovation awards, and exhibitions, cementing Sarawak’s role as a hub where healthcare, hospitality, and innovation meet.
“IMTC is a long-term commitment to place Sarawak on the global medical tourism map, creating impact that reaches both industry and community,” Nida said on her LinkedIn post.
