SARAWAK SECURES WORLD CONGRESS ON TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE IN 2012

MELBOURNE, Aug 20 (Bernama) -– More than 1,000 specialists from the
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) industry globally are expected to converge
in Kuching in the east Malaysia state of Sarawak for the 9th World Congress of
Chinese Medicine (WCCM) in November next year.

It is expected to contribute RM7.7 million (US$2.56 million) to the
Malaysian economy during the four-day meeting.

Kuching was chosen as the preferred destination by the World Federation of
Chinese Medicine (WFCMS) following a competitive bid presentation by the
Malaysian team in Kunming, China.

The bid was supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Health,
Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) and Sarawak Convention Bureau
(SCB).

The coup has further reinforced Malaysia as the preferred business events
destination for China-based associations and meeting planners and as the
regional hub for TCM, MyCEB said in a statement Saturday.

Held annually, the WCCM is an international academic conference on TCM
organised by WFCMS headquartered in Beijing, China to promote the development
of TCM globally.

Huang Jian Yin, Vice Secretary General and Associate Research Professor,
World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies said Malaysia's successful bid
for the WCCM was a recognition of Malaysia's well-developed TCM industry as well
as international advancements made to date.

Malaysia is home to approximately 7,000 TCM practitioners
and three major federations of Chinese medicine comprising over 70 Chinese
medicine associations. Four universities and eight public hospitals have
established a dedicated department for TCM.

MyCEB Chief Executive Officer Zulkefli Sharif said the 9th WCCM was expected
to contribute about RM7.7 million in economic impact to the nation based on
international delegates expenditure.

"Local healthcare providers, herbalists, Chinese physicians will have the
opportunity to engage with their international peers to exchange clinical
experiences and broaden academic horizons," Zulkefli said.

Sarawak Convention Bureau Chief Executive Jill Henry said hosting the
prestigious event would help add to the credibility of Sarawak as a new hub for
international conferences and exhibitions.