Reopening borders proposal for business delegates from neighboring countries

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) reports that it is in the midst of formulating a plan to reopen the borders of the country to delegations from neighboring countries who are coming for business events.

The plan includes delegations from Singapore meeting in Desaru, Johor, Thai delegates in Langkawi, and officials from Brunei in Sabah and Sarawak in an effort to stimulate and revitalize the business events sector and economy.

It maintained in a statement that any plan to reopen the international borders of the nation must comply with strict SOPs to ensure that Malaysia remains a secure destination for business events, also known as meetings, projects, conferences and exhibitions (MICE),

In the meantime, Abdul Khani Daud, CEO of MyCEB, welcomed Putrajaya’s decision to allow business events to take place in areas under the conditional order of motion control (CMCO).

He said these events could help raise the goal of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to achieve its tourism recovery objectives.

We are also learning to cope effectively as an authority (with the pandemic). But at least, for our industry players, we aspire to play our role as an active bridge between government and different ministries.

“We hope to further stimulate the business events segment through proactive initiatives such as the ‘Meet in Malaysia’ campaign and help the industry kick-start its business again as soon as possible,” he said.

After months of movement restrictions and lockdown, Malaysia joined other countries around the world in eventually reopening the events industry, although the number of attendants for MICE events in CMCO areas is currently restricted to 50 percent.

Khani said MyCEB will continue to play its role in positioning Malaysia, even under the new normal conditions, as a center for business events in Asia.

He added that his 10-year strategic marketing strategy for 2021 to 2030 will be introduced by the bureau, with three strategic pillars: optimization, foresight and competitiveness.

The 10-year plan aims to broaden the success of MyCEB while highlighting the power and opportunities of Malaysia to engage meeting planners for global business events.