The state government supports business events (BEs) as a means of enhancing regional engagement and investment dialogue, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
“We will leverage these platforms to expand cross-border collaboration and connect regional capabilities to global networks.
“We will continue to enhance our standards and structure our partnerships with priority on implementation and delivery,” he said at the launch of the Third International Business Events Forum (BE in Sabah) 2026 at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC).
Hajiji’s speech was delivered by Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
He said BEs are a crucial driver of Sabah’s economic and development agenda, fostering industry growth, facilitating investment discussions and promoting local participation among small and medium enterprises, professionals and young talent.
“We understand that investor confidence and international trust stem not just from announcements, but from consistent policies, clarity of direction and reliable execution.
“In this context, BEs act as a strategic bridge between policy and implementation, global expertise and local capability, and delivery,” he said.
He said the event was held at SICC, a purpose-built facility capable of hosting complex, large-scale gatherings, reflecting the state’s commitment to improving service readiness, strengthening institutional coordination and enhancing industry capabilities to ensure every event reflects excellence and professionalism.
The Sabah Convention Bureau (SCB), operating under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment, further strengthens this enabling environment by working closely with industry players to provide a reliable interface for international events, he added.
Organising chairperson Datuk Dr Rosmawati Lasuki said the forum has evolved from an initial local initiative into a recurring regional platform shaped by continuity, learning and trust.
This year’s programme features 33 speakers from 18 countries and territories, representing a broad cross-section of the global business events ecosystem.
She said many of the speakers are active contributors to major international platforms such as IMEX, AIME, the ICCA Congress and The Meetings Show, bringing current global insights and market experience into a regional Asia-Pacific context.
Over two days, the forum will examine strategic issues shaping the business events industry, including business events as enablers of trade, investment and market confidence; regional and cross-border collaboration in the Asia-Pacific; leadership, governance and industry resilience; artificial intelligence, innovation and data-led strategies; and talent development, professional standards and future readiness.
The opening keynote was delivered by Dr Senthil Gopinath, chief executive officer of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), who shared global perspectives on industry performance, emerging risks, and the importance of collaboration and standards in sustaining long-term growth.
Beyond dialogue, the forum incorporates structured pathways for collaboration, including the exchange of memoranda of understanding involving SICC and international and local partners.
These collaborations focus on knowledge exchange, capacity building and destination development, and are intended to continue through sustained engagement beyond the forum.
