Malaysia's Positioning as Champion Amongst Emerging Economies Key to Bid Success

01/01/2012

Strategically located in the heart of South East Asia between the two booming economies of China and India coupled with its multi-cultural diversity and excellent value for money, Malaysia offers a compelling proposition for international associations headquartered in Europe who aim to connect with Asia and increase their profile in the world’s most populous region.

Malaysia’s strength in engaging with new and emerging economic centres lies in its rich historical links with China, India and the Middle-East while simultaneously enhancing ties with the West.

Mr Zulkefli Hj Sharif, Chief Executive Officer, Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) said, “Our recent success in securing international meetings is supported by Malaysia’s positioning as a role model among emerging economies and as Asia’s education hub. Hosting a meeting in Malaysia meant international associations can use the opportunity to engage with their Asian counterparts, raise their association profile and create interest in their respective fields in this region of four billion people.

“As outlined in the national Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), Malaysia aims to become a high income and developed nation by year 2020. Investments in key economic areas including medical sciences, technology, oil and gas and education are expediting progress and advancements for the country in the respective fields. This has provided us with the perfect opportunity to strengthen our international networks and engagements – which is vital through conferences,” Mr Zulkefli continued.

As Ms Anouk Rey, Conference Director of International AIDS Society based in Geneva, Switzerland attested, “We are very impressed by the Malaysian government’s commitment to provide free HIV treatment to all Malaysians in need of antiretroviral therapy. It underscores our interest in bringing the conference to Malaysia so that our colleagues from around the world can learn from such best practice.” Malaysia will be hosting the 7th International Aids Society (IAS) HIV Conference in Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention with 5,000 delegates.

“Hosting the IAS HIV conference in Malaysia in 2013 will not only be attractive to our delegates in terms of destination (touristic aspects, value for money) but it is also centrally located in Asia to attract HIV professionals from neighbouring countries,” said Ms Rey.

The 7th IAS HIV Conference was the first large scale event secured under the Malaysian government’s Economic Transformation Programme.

In addition, the prestigious annual Human Genome Meeting (HGM) organised by the international Human Genome Organisation (HUGO) will be held for the first time in Kuala Lumpur in the year 2015.

To be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, the HGM 2015 is expected to attract 1,000 delegates comprising researchers, academicians, clinicians, students and others in science and human genome industry to Malaysia.

“Malaysia is rising in South East Asia in investment and quality of genomic and genetic sciences. Their hosting of HGM 2015 is a mark of international recognition of these advances. We look forward to partnering with Universiti Sains Malaysia in making HGM 2015 a celebration of genomic sciences in the region,” remarked Professor Edison T Liu, President of HUGO.

The decision to host the HGM 2015 in Kuala Lumpur is also supported by the positioning of Malaysia as a role model amongst developing nations; an economically prosperous moderate Islamic country which encourages dialogue within the society and the government.

The HGM 2015 will play an instrumental role in promoting Malaysia as a leader on the global bioinformatics and genomics research industry, expediting scientific breakthroughs in the medical, agricultural and industrial sectors. The meeting will be an excellent opportunity for the country to showcase its genomic research capabilities taking into account the 12 genomic centres located all over Malaysia.

Further strengthening the country’s profile as the choice destination for international associations, Malaysia was the proud host of the 70th Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Conference in July 2011. A first in Asia since the IIA’s incorporation in 1941, the conference was expecting an estimated 3,000 delegates and contribute over EUR4.6 million (RM20 million) in economic impact for Malaysia.

“With members in 165 countries, Malaysia’s diversity and cultural richness provides a perfect background for our conference. Malaysia is an affordable – yet still a world-class destination in the middle of a growing Asian market, which makes it very attractive to conference of our size,” said Mr Augusto Baeta, Manager of Global Professional Development, the IIA, based in USA.

Malaysia leaped a notable three spots to the 28th position in the latest ICCA, International Congress and Convention Association country rankings. The number of meetings hosted grew 24 percent, from 96 meetings (2009) to 119 meetings (2010). Malaysia retained its position as one of the top 10 meeting destinations in Asia Pacific.

In 2010, Malaysia grew its business tourism arrivals to 1.3 million from 1.2 million in the previous year (2009). This is in line with the country’s vision to achieve 2.9 million in international business tourism arrivals by year 2020 and to position the country as one of the Top 5 destinations in Asia Pacific for international meetings.

Highlights of Malaysia’s business events calendar for 2011
• KL Vision 2011 – 10th International Conference on Low Vision – 1,000 delegates
• 22nd Pacific Science Congress – 1,000 delegates
• The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) 2011 International Conference – 3,000 delegates
• 21st Asia Pacific Cancer Conference – 2,000 delegates
• 18th Asian Pacific Congress of Cardiology – 3,000 delegates
• ASEAN Federation of Accountants (AFA) Conference – 2,500 delegates
• Student in Free Enterprise (SIFE) World Cup – 1,500 delegates
• ASEAN Australian Engineering Congress (AAEC) – 1,000 delegates
• Automechanika Malaysia 2011 – 5,000 visitors
• 8th International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) – 36,000 visitors
• Oil & Gas Asia Exhibition – 25,000 visitors

Contact Information
Mr Zulkefli Hj Sharif
Chief Executive Officer
Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau
Tel         +603 2034 2090
Fax         +603 2034 2091
Email        info@myceb.com.my
Website     www.myceb.com.my