MyCEB aims 10 pct increase in economic impact from RM1.58 bln in 2018

Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) is aiming a 10 per cent increase in the economic impact from international business events this year, up from RM1.58 billion impact generated from 152 events held in the country last year.

The bureau according to its chief executive officer Datuk Zulkefli Sharif said, was confident of meeting the target to further strengthen Malaysia’s appeal as the leading global destination for international meetings, conventions, trade exhibitions and major events.

“From January to June 2019, MyCEB has bagged a total of 75 international conferences, incentive groups and trade exhibition events with a total estimated economic impact value of RM 978.5 million,” he told reporters at the soft launch of Power and Energy Series event hosted by Clarion Energy.

The inaugural 5-in-1 Power and Energy Series would feature Powergen Asia, Asian Utility Week, Distributech Asia, SolarVision and Energy Capital Leaders Asia.

MyCEB is a one-stop centre for business tourism activities in the country, functioning as the official marketing arm for business events.

According to Malaysia’s Business Events Roadmap 2020 said Zulkefli, the industry is expected to contribute some RM3.9 billion in incremental gross national income and 16,720 jobs opportunities.

With next year has been designated as Visit Malaysia Year, he also called on business delegates to extend their stay in the country by visiting Malaysia’s popular destinations, from Unesco-listed world heritage sites of Malacca and Penang to discovering the 100 million-yearold rainforest in Pahang, Sabah and Sarawak.

According to him, business delegates visiting Malaysia normally spent three times more than normal tourists.

“It is expected that Visit Malaysia Year 2020 will attract 30 million international tourist arrivals and generate RM100 billion in tourist receipts for the country,” he added.

Meanwhile, Clarion Energy portfolio director for Asia Nick Rastall said the three-day Power and Energy event slated to begin on Sept 3 would see the gathering of major players involved in the power and energy sectors.

“It will cover the whole value chain on conventional and renewable generation, to transmission and distribution, to its digital transformation and including the financing of the energy transition by industry,” he said. — Bernama