ID :
241070
Tue, 05/22/2012 - 07:20
Auther :

Msia Federal Government Allocates US$11.9 MLN for Tourism Projects in Sarawak

KUCHING (Sarawak,Malaysia), May 22 (Bernama) -- Under the 1st Rolling Plan (2011-2012) of the 10th Malaysia Plan, the federal government through the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia has allocated RM37.1 million (US$11.9 million) for the implementation of 50 approved tourism projects in Sarawak. Tourism Minister Abang Johari Openg said to date, 14 projects had been completed, 14 other projects had been awarded to contractors and 22 projects were still at the stage of procurement process (inviting tender and quotation) and most of the 50 projects were expected to be completed by the end of 2012. "My Ministry is also coordinating and reviewing tourism project proposals which are to be considered under the 3rd rolling plan of the 10th Malaysia Plan worth RM153 million (US$48.98 million)," he said in his winding up speech at the State Legislative Assembly sitting, here Tuesday. He said among the projects were Bakam Point-Miri, Bekenu Riverfront-Miri, Miri Tourism Corridor, Heritage Trail Kuching, Botanical Garden-Petra Jaya, Sarawak Museum, Digital Billboards-Kuching and Maritime Museum. Johari said his ministry was looking forward to the completion of the jetty at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) to provide unique transportation experience for tourists to BCCK via the river taxi. "This initiative gives BCCK the competitive edge amongst other worldwide convention competitors. This project is expected to be completed by the end of this year," he said. Talking on the Meeting, Incentive, Convention and Exhibition (MICE), Johari said there was growing awareness, particularly amongst developing nations, that business events such as association conferences were an essential ingredient in the economic strategy of a destination. He said in order to move up the value chain of the Tourism Industry, my Ministry fully recognised the important contribution of the MICE sector to the economy. This was why the Ministry continued to support the development of convention bids, and the positioning of Sarawak as a business destination. "Last year, Sarawak hosted 51 Conventions, Incentive and Corporate Meetings with 14,254 delegates and with a direct delegate expenditure of RM27.21 million(US$8.71 million)," he said. Johari said the total number of bids won last year was 54 with estimated delegates at 24,875 with potential direct delegate expenditure of RM58.30 million (US$18.67 million) up to 2016. -- BERNAMA

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