Post on 19-Feb-2015
SABAH INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE
Paving the way for a new MICE destination .....
Yayasan Sabah Group as it stands today has been a substantive part of the socio-
economic development of Sabah. As part of its efforts to intensify the MICE
activities, Yayasan Sabah Group has aggressively positioned itself as one of the
organisers for international conferences. In 2005, Yayasan Sabah Group successfully
organised the first International CEOs Conference (ICC2005) which drew more than
650 participants from 32 countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Africa
and China. The ICC2005 has profiled Sabah as a viable destination for international
conferences and investment hub. The ICC2005 created a rare occasion for many
Sabahans to see CEOs, businessmen and politicians from overseas converging in
Kota Kinabalu for a three-day conference.
According to the Director of Yayasan Sabah cum Executive Chairman of ICSB, Tan Sri
Datu Khalil bin Datu Haji Jamalul, the success of the ICC2005 has inspired the Group
to host another international conference, the International Women Executive
Congress in 2007 (IWEC2007).
“The IWEC2007 has managed to attract a distinguished panel of experts and
outstanding speakers. Subsequently, the Group also organised the International
CEOs Conference in 2008 followed by the Blue Ocean Strategy Conference in 2009,”
he said.
“The participation of international delegates and speakers itself is an endorsement
of our ability to organise international conferences. Our commitment in organising
international conferences is to ensure that guests leave with everlasting memories
and the satisfaction of having attended a professionally managed event,” he added.
Against this backdrop, Yayasan Sabah Group took the initiative to develop Sabah’s
first world class purpose-built international conference and event venue in Kota
Kinabalu - the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC).
Overlooking the South China Sea and Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, the SICC enjoys a
prestigious location with the majestic Mount Kinabalu on its eastern side and the
sunset on its western side. Located strategically at the tail-end of the proposed
Jesselton Waterfront Development, it is surrounded by the sea on both sides and the
main road Jalan Fuad Stephens. The development area of the SICC is 15 acres or
60,703 m2. Being at the tail-end of the Jesselton Waterfront Development and at the
fringe of Kota Kinabalu City has given the opportunity for the SICC to be located at a
premier address.
Tan Sri Khalil said, SICC is poised to be one of the highly specialised venues for
conventions, trade shows, banquets and conferences.
“The multipurpose convention, exhibition and banquet facilities will be fully
equipped with various high-tech facilities to ensure smooth and efficient running of
MICE activities. It will employ the latest event technology with a capable team to
handle every aspect of event technical and production requirements. Its state of the
art multi-purpose exhibition and convention facilities, complete with world-class
communications network and cutting-edge presentation technology ensures
effective deliverance of information and communication,” he elaborated.
Equipped with nearly 1,000 parking bays, it comprises of a 5,000 seating capacity
convention hall, exhibition hall, auditorium, ballroom, theatre, restaurants, shops,
offices and meeting rooms. Designed to be ahead of its generation, the SICC will be a
representation of the best-featured convention centre derived from the world's
leading MICE venues.
“With the completion of these myriad of facilities, Sabah will be a major MICE
destination. The SICC will provide a venue for MICE activities and the 'happening
place' for concerts, summits, indoor games and music/film awards of an
international standard. This is in-line with the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima
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Mohd. Najib bin Tun Haji Razak’s vision of developing Malaysia into a high-end
tourist destination,” said Tan Sri Khalil.
In his keynote address at the opening of the Borneo Convention Centre, Kuching,
Sarawak on 2 March 2010, the Prime Minister said, “Malaysia has set a target to be
among the top five Meetings, Incentives, Convention and Exhibition (MICE)
destinations in the Asia-Pacific region by 2015.”
Based on the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Statistics
Report 2011. Malaysia was ranked seven in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions
and twenty-nine in the world ranking.
Malaysia has all the inherent ingredients to be successful, such as growing
accessibility, competitive pricing, leading edge infrastructure, multicultural
attraction and professional expertise. “With the establishment of the Malaysia
Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) under Tourism Malaysia in 2009, the
country’s ranking in the Asia-Pacific region could be improved. We are confident
that with the combined efforts of all stakeholders led by MyCEB, our international
and regional rankings will improve further in the future,” said Datuk Seri Panglima
Mohd. Najib.
Tan Sri Khalil further said, “Sabah, a land that is characterised by both ethnic and
cultural diversities where love and unity prevail has been undergoing rapid social
and economic transformations. The policy adjustments undertaken by the Federal
and State Government in response to the ever changing global economy have
proven to be highly successful. This in turn has catapulted Sabah to enjoy
comparatively high rates of economic growth and brought about confidence to local
and foreign investors.”
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According to him, today we see marked improvement in the transportation,
communications, public utilities, housing and health services due the series of
development plans implemented by both the State and Federal Government.
Sabah’s diverse ethnic races have contributed to many traditions and customs,
however, these ethnic groups have been able to live together harmoniously and yet
preserve their own identity, culture, customs, festivals and traditions. Although
modernisation has changed the landscape of Sabah, the local festivals and historical
customs have remained little changed and can still be experienced by visitors to
Sabah.
Moving forward, Sabah is blessed with natural diversity ranging from the towering
mountain peaks to deep seas with crystal clear waters. With this unique
environment backdrop, together with the current tourism-boom in Sabah, the State
Government promulgated the idea of developing MICE activities in Sabah.
Through MICE activities, the various international events have paved the way for
the convergence of the best minds from all over the world, as well as introduce
Sabah as a land for investment opportunities and a venue for events organising.
Indeed, the main selling point for Sabah as a MICE destination in this region is its
wealth of eco-tourism hotspots which are currently being developed.
“With the development of the SICC, the true potential of eco-tourism activities plus a
strategic niche market would equip Sabah as a MICE destination not only from this
region but also globally,” he said.
Tan Sri Khalil praised the Federal and State Government for the strong backing
towards the development of the SICC. “The Federal and State Government are the
backbone of the SICC development. The Federal Government has allocated a sum of
RM250 million through the facilitation fund to finance the project infrastructures
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while the State Government has provided a 15-acre land for the project,” he
explained.
SICC will be realised through smart partnership with interested investors. To
sustain its businesses and gain worldwide exposure, the SICC will be managed by a
reputable partner enriched with a world-wide network and superior global
distribution.
“With strong backing from the government and established networks with
prominent industry players, SICC is poised to provide thrills and excitements to top
corporate executives globally to the many facets of Sabah,” he added.
Presently, Sabah is more on leisure tourism whereby tourists would have to spend
their own money. On the same note, for international tourists, especially on a
business trip, their stays are very short but for MICE tourism, it has been proven to
bring in high value to tourism products with the same number of tourists because of
the pre and post events.
Tan Sri Khalil explained, with the multiplying effect created by MICE activities
through SICC, it would further benefit and widen Sabah's economy. It will have
ripple effects and a major spin-offs boost to the hotel, food, shopping,
transportation, property and service industries.
“With SICC, Sabah is poised to become the venue for top global CEOs to congregate,
this augurs well for Sabah’s economy as they are part of our potential investors and
business partners in undertaking mega-projects in the future,” he said.
Further to that, SICC would be the catalyst for further development in the State and
would be complemented by modern infrastructures that indirectly propel the
State’s entire tourism industry up in the value chain. “The development of SICC will
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also help Sabah to tap the full advantage of its strategic location and be an important
business player in the BIMP-EAGA region,” he added.
According to him, SICC is a new catalyst for the state tourism industry as it would be
able to transform Sabah’s economy from a resource based economy to knowledge
and information based economy. “SICC will also empower the society, bridge the
income gap, reduces socio-economic imbalance and enhance the quality of life of the
people,” he said.
To a question, why Yayasan Sabah Group? Tan Sri Khalil explained “Yayasan Sabah
Group has long been known as a financial provider. Through its educational
programme, many students were able to further their study and contributed
meaningfully to Sabah. However, Yayasan Sabah Group’s role has always in been in
producing ‘brain’ and stop short in creating employment opportunities. Hence, it is
time for Yayasan Sabah Group to think of ways in creating job opportunities to these
‘brains’. These efforts are also in-line with the Government’s emphasis on human
capital development.”
He said, once the SICC is completed, around 1,500 people are expected to be
employed full time as well as on a casual basis across major departments such as
events and sales, human resources, marketing communication, finance, property,
banquet set-up, housekeeping, maintenance and engineering besides food and
beverage.
Being a PEOPLE organisation and the people is its business, Yayasan Sabah Group
will continue to play its role in uplifting the standard of living of Malaysians in
Sabah, not only in terms of educational and socio-economic but total human capital
development, in-line with its mission in uplifting the quality of life of the people.
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An artist rendition of the Sabah International Convention Centre.
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The official handing over of the letter of offer of the RM250 million from the Federal Government by Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd. Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak to Datuk
Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman on 16 February 2012.
Photos taken during the IWEC2007
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Examples of photos in Service Section
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