MALAYSIA AIMS TO BE AMONG THE TOP FIVE ASIA-PACIFIC MICE DESTINATIONS BY 2015

KUCHING (Malaysia), March 3 (Bernama) -- 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.

Prime Minister Najib Razak said based on the International Congress and
Convention Association 2008 ranking, Malaysia were ranked in eighth place in the
Asia-Pacific region and 32nd in the world ranking.

"Malaysia has all the inherent ingredients to be successful, such as growing
accesibility, competitive pricing, leading edge infrastructure, multicultural
attraction and profesional expertise," he said at the opening the Borneo
Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), here Monday.

Najib said with with the establishment of the Malaysia Convention and exhibition
Bureau (MyCEB) under Tourism Malaysia last year, the country's ranking in the
Asia-Pacific region could be improved.

"We are confident that with the combined effots of all stakeholders led by
MyCEB, our international and regional rankings will improve further in the
future," he said.

The east Malaysian state of Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, who also
spoke at the opening, said the state goverment had targetted five-years to make
an impact in the MICE sector.

Since its opening in Aug 2, 2009, BCCK has hosted 52 events and welcomed over
30,000 delegates. It is strategically located and managed by Borneo Isthmus
Development Sdn Bhd, a Sarawak state-owned company.

It is located eight kilometres from the city centre and aims to organise and
attract local and international concerts, events, exhibitions, and conventions
to Sarawak.
-- BERNAMA