KUCHING: Business events are very big contributors to Sarawak’s socioeconomics, said Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Speaking at a press conference on the upcoming Ten Outstanding Malaysian Awards (TOYM) event here yesterday, he added, “Business events work hand-in-hand with the tourism industry as the ministry is targeting the arrival of five million tourists, including delegates to Sarawak this year.”
Karim added that his ministry needed the help of industry players from the business events and tourism sectors to attract five million tourists this year.
“The ministry and other tourism agencies are working to increase the state’s air connectivity and promote the tourism products and services that we have to offer,” he revealed.
The TOYM event to be organised by the Junior Chamber International Malaysia (JCIM) will take place at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on September 14 this year.
Karim added he believed that Sarawakians had the potential to be nominated for the awards.
Meanwhile, the organising chairman of JCI Kuching Thomas Teo said the Malaysian branch was now looking for local youths whose philanthropic contributions had helped communities to represent Malaysia and compete for the TOYP of the world during the JCI World congress to be held in Estonia.
“The award recipients will surely become inspirational leaders to the future generations and we want them to forge ahead and achieve greater success and continue their philanthropic work,” he said.
The award is open to all Malaysians aged between 18 and 40; it is divided into ten categories, namely Business; Political, Legal or Governmental affairs; Academic Leadership; Cultural Achievement; Moral or Environmental Leadership; Contribution to Children, World Peace or Human Rights; Humanitarian or Voluntary leadership; Scientific or Technological Development; Personal Improvement and Medical Innovation.
The nomination will close on May 31, 2019.
Also present at the press conference yesterday was TOYM Honoree in Cultural Achievement, Datuk Wee Hong Seng.
