By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: The 3rd International Business Events Forum – BE in SABAH 2026 recorded strong participation from domestic and international stakeholders, reflecting growing interest in regional business events platforms.
Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Dr Andi Md Shamzureezal said the forum underscored the expanding strategic role of Business Events (BEs) in facilitating regional engagement and connecting markets through structured, outcome-driven platforms.
He said continued cross-border and cross-sector collaboration is essential to strengthen resilience and competitiveness within the Asia-Pacific Business Events ecosystem.
Dr Andi was speaking at the closing ceremony of the two-day forum hosted by the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC).
He said forum sessions addressed key areas including market confidence, governance, technology adoption, talent development and cross-border collaboration, highlighting the evolving expectations placed on Business Events as economic and professional infrastructure.
The forum also enabled knowledge exchange and partnership-building among participants from government agencies, international associations, convention bureaux, consulting firms and private sector organisations, reinforcing its role as a working platform beyond dialogue.
Organising chairperson Datuk Dr Rosmawati Lasuki said the forum has remained relevant by building on the outcomes of previous editions.
“The success of the forum is measured not only by attendance, but by the quality of engagement, the relationships strengthened and the capabilities developed across the regional ecosystem,” she said.
Among the highlights of the forum was the strengthening of international collaboration, marked by a memorandum of understanding signed between the Goyang Convention and Visitors Bureau, Goyang International Expo and SICC.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to collaboration beyond events, encompassing knowledge exchange, industry development and capacity-building, and builds on engagements initiated during Goyang Destination Week.
The participation of eight junior management representatives from Goyang, led by Dr Peter Lee, further highlighted a mutual focus on developing future industry leaders through structured exposure and professional exchange.
The collaboration also signals ongoing efforts to deepen ties not only with South Korea, but with other international destinations as part of a broader strategy to build a more connected, capable and resilient BEs ecosystem.
Dr Andi (fourth from right), receives a souvenir from Rosmawati as other guests look on.
