MalaysianUpdates

Category: Business Events

  • Emirates Bawakan Pengalaman Perayaan Tahun Baru Cina Istimewa Untuk Penumpang Malaysia

    Emirates Bawakan Pengalaman Perayaan Tahun Baru Cina Istimewa Untuk Penumpang Malaysia

    Sempena sambutan Tahun Baru Cina Kuda, Emirates menandakan salah satu tempoh perjalanan paling sibuk di Asia Tenggara dengan menawarkan pengalaman penumpang yang dipertingkatkan di dalam penerbangan serta berkongsi pandangan menyeluruh mengenai trend pelancongan ke dan dari Malaysia, Thailand dan Vietnam sepanjang musim cuti tersebut. Tahun Baru Cina kekal sebagai antara musim perjalanan paling penting di rantau ini, menggabungkan tradisi pertemuan keluarga dengan peningkatan perjalanan ke destinasi antarabangsa.

    Berdasarkan data tempahan bagi Februari 2026, Emirates merekodkan skala dan kepelbagaian tujuan perjalanan yang merentasi seluruh pasaran Asia Tenggara. Di Malaysia, perjalanan sepanjang tempoh perayaan didorong oleh gabungan pertemuan keluarga dan percutian antarabangsa. Trafik masuk didahului oleh United Kingdom, Emiriah Arab Bersatu, Jerman dan Amerika Syarikat, mencerminkan hubungan kukuh Malaysia dengan komuniti global serta daya tarikannya sebagai destinasi pelancongan semasa Tahun Baru Cina. Kebanyakan pelancong yang tiba terdiri daripada pelancong solo dan pasangan, manakala pelancong berkeluarga mewakili sebahagian kecil. Dalam masa yang sama, pelancong dari Malaysia mengambil peluang cuti perayaan untuk melancong ke destinasi jarak jauh seperti Dubai, Istanbul, Kaherah, London dan Paris. Corak perjalanan keluar turut didominasi oleh pelancong solo dan pasangan, diikuti oleh pelancong berkumpulan dan keluarga. Keadaan ini menjadikan musim perayaan sebagai pemangkin kepada perjalanan antarabangsa serta mengukuhkan kepentingan ketersambungan global dan pilihan kabin premium.

    Di Thailand, data tempahan menunjukkan bahawa perjalanan sempena Tahun Baru Cina bagi Februari 2026 kekal didominasi oleh aktiviti riadah. Permintaan masuk tertinggi datang dari Jerman, United Kingdom, Rusia, Perancis dan Hong Kong, sekali gus mengekalkan kedudukan Thailand sebagai destinasi percutian utama dalam kalangan pelancong antarabangsa. Pelancong yang tiba kebanyakannya terdiri daripada pelancong solo dan pasangan, manakala pelancong berkeluarga dan berkumpulan mencatatkan peratusan yang lebih kecil, menandakan bahawa tempoh ini lebih tertumpu kepada percutian berbanding pertemuan keluarga. Bagi perjalanan keluar, pelancong Thailand cenderung memilih destinasi jarak dekat dan serantau seperti Hong Kong, Da Nang dan Dubai. Kebanyakan perjalanan adalah untuk percutian singkat atau lawatan kepada rakan dan saudara mara, menjadikan tempoh ini sebagai musim perjalanan yang fleksibel dengan permintaan tinggi terhadap penerbangan yang kerap.

    Di Vietnam, musim perayaan Tết memperlihatkan peningkatan permintaan bagi perjalanan jarak jauh. Data tempahan menunjukkan bahawa pelancongan masuk didahului oleh Jerman, Thailand, United Kingdom, Amerika Syarikat dan Rusia. Penumpang yang tiba kebanyakannya terdiri daripada pelancong solo dan pasangan, dengan sebahagian besar perjalanan didorong oleh tujuan peribadi, riadah serta lawatan kepada rakan dan saudara mara. Ini menggariskan kepentingan Tết sebagai waktu untuk pertemuan keluarga. Dalam masa yang sama, pelancong Vietnam turut memanfaatkan cuti perayaan untuk melancong ke luar negara, dengan destinasi seperti Dubai, Bangkok, London, Paris dan Moscow menjadi pilihan utama. Selain pulang ke kampung halaman, musim ini semakin dilihat sebagai peluang untuk mengimbangi tanggungjawab kekeluargaan dengan pengalaman pelancongan antarabangsa, sekali gus meningkatkan permintaan terhadap ketersambungan global.

    Bagi meraikan Tahun Kuda, Emirates turut menawarkan pelbagai pengalaman penumpang sepanjang tempoh Tahun Baru Cina, sama ada di darat mahupun di udara. Dari 17 hingga 19 Februari 2026, pelanggan boleh menikmati hidangan panas dan pencuci mulut istimewa yang diinspirasikan daripada tradisi Tahun Baru Cina di ruang istirahat Emirates terpilih di Dubai, Singapura, Bangkok, Beijing, Shanghai dan Hong Kong. Di dalam penerbangan pula, antara 16 hingga 20 Februari 2026, suasana perayaan dibawakan ke pasaran utama Asia termasuk China, Taiwan, Singapura dan Malaysia melalui sajian pencuci mulut bertemakan Tahun Baru Cina serta pemberian angpao kepada penumpang.

    Penumpang yang menaiki penerbangan antara Dubai dan Kuala Lumpur sepanjang tempoh ini turut menikmati hidangan istimewa merentasi semua kelas kabin, termasuk kek mousse laici dan mawar bersalut coklat putih bagi pelanggan kabin premium serta pencuci mulut sagu kelapa dan taro bagi penumpang kelas ekonomi. Angpao berisi syiling coklat juga diberikan dalam penerbangan terpilih sebagai simbolik sambutan. Melengkapkan pengalaman tersebut, sistem hiburan dalam penerbangan Emirates ice menawarkan kandungan bertemakan Tahun Baru Cina, termasuk pilihan filem, rancangan televisyen dan muzik dalam pelbagai bahasa seperti bahasa Cina dan bahasa Melayu, bagi memastikan penumpang terus terhibur sepanjang perjalanan.

    Dengan rangkaian global yang merangkumi enam benua, Emirates terus memainkan peranan penting dalam menghubungkan Asia Tenggara dengan destinasi antarabangsa utama, khususnya semasa tempoh permintaan tinggi seperti musim Tahun Baru Cina.

  • Sarawak to Host 1,000 Delegates at SEA Tourist Guides Conference in Sibu

    Sarawak to Host 1,000 Delegates at SEA Tourist Guides Conference in Sibu

    Sarawak is set to welcome 1,000 delegates from across Southeast Asia at the 3rd Southeast Asian Tourist Guides Conference 2026, taking place from 13 to 15 October 2026 at the Kingwood Hotel in Sibu. Following the success of the inaugural conference in Kuching in 2024, this year’s event, held in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026, aims to strengthen regional guiding standards while positioning Sarawak as a premier destination for impact-driven business events. Organised by the Sarawak Tourist Guides Association in collaboration with the Malaysian Tourist Guides Council and supported by Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), the conference will focus on addressing industry challenges and enhancing collaboration among tourism frontliners in Southeast Asia.

    Under Sarawak’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030, the state targets a 7.5% annual growth in visitor arrivals by 2030. Achieving this requires not only attracting tourists but ensuring high-quality experiences. Tourist guides, as cultural ambassadors and storytellers, play a critical role in delivering authentic and impactful visitor experiences. However, the profession faces new challenges, including the rise of digital and AI-driven travel tools, evolving visitor expectations, and a shortage of qualified guides.

    The Honourable Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Deputy Minister for Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, emphasised the importance of quality experiences alongside visitor growth, stating that tourist guides are the frontline in shaping how Sarawak is understood and remembered. The conference will provide a dedicated platform for professional development, while accelerating the training of Registered Regional Specific Tourist Guides and Sarawak Park Guides, ensuring a strong and future-ready talent pipeline.

    Edwin Lim, Honorary Chairman of the Sarawak Tourist Guides Association, highlighted the growing demands on tourist guides in a digital world and the importance of regional collaboration to elevate the profession. Sibu was chosen as the host city to promote inclusive tourism development, creating opportunities and distributing the benefits of tourism across Sarawak. Jason Tan Chin Foo, Acting CEO of BESarawak, added that business events today must deliver impact, and this conference strengthens regional networks, fosters high-value tourism, and positions Sarawak as a legacy-driven business events hub in Malaysia and Borneo.

    Delegates will also engage in an immersive outdoor learning experience, including cultural exchanges and community-based tourism activities, offering firsthand insight into preserving cultural identity and delivering authentic visitor experiences.

    For more information about the 3rd Southeast Asian Tourist Guides Conference 2026, visit https://www.sktga.org/.

  • Sarawak Strengthens National Collaboration to Advance Impactful Business Events

    Sarawak Strengthens National Collaboration to Advance Impactful Business Events

    Sarawak is reinforcing its commitment to strengthening collaboration within Malaysia’s business events ecosystem as part of its long-term development agenda. The Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak recently reaffirmed its support for business events organisers across the country, highlighting that stronger national partnerships will play a crucial role in achieving the goals outlined in Sarawak’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).

    The message was emphasised during Business Events Sarawak’s (BESarawak) Ramadan engagement session in Kuala Lumpur, which formed part of a broader initiative to deepen industry collaboration and strengthen ties with national stakeholders. The engagement series aims to expand future bid pipelines, foster stronger partnerships with event organisers across Malaysia and position business events as a strategic platform that drives long-term economic and social impact.

    The timing of the engagement is particularly significant as Sarawak enters the final phase of its development roadmap under PCDS 2030. As the state moves toward the final stretch of the strategy, collaboration with partners from across Malaysia will be essential in transforming strategic plans into tangible outcomes that benefit industries, communities and the broader national economy.

    Sarawak builds stronger ties with Malaysia’s industry, discussing on how to expand current collaborations to support PCDS 2030.

    Representing the Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, Deputy Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan emphasised that the ministry remains committed to supporting organisations interested in bringing impactful business events to Sarawak. He noted that through Business Events Sarawak, the state continues to provide strong support and resources to organisations across the country that seek to host conferences, exhibitions and other high-value business events in the region.

    According to Jason Tan Chin Foo, Acting Chief Executive Officer of BESarawak, collaboration has long been the foundation of Sarawak’s success as a business events destination. He explained that through its legacy impact initiatives and comprehensive support programmes for event organisers, BESarawak aims to strengthen industry contributions while fostering partnerships that create meaningful and lasting legacies for Sarawak, Malaysia and the wider region.

    Among the initiatives introduced is the Academic Mobility Programme, a newly launched platform designed to encourage universities to organise study tours and technical visits to Sarawak. The programme aims to strengthen the link between academic research and local development priorities by providing opportunities for students, researchers and academic institutions to engage directly with Sarawak’s industries, communities and development sectors.

    By bridging academia with industry, the initiative supports Sarawak’s broader vision of positioning itself as the “Legacy Capital of Business Events” in Malaysia and Borneo. The programme also reflects the state’s long-term strategy of ensuring that business events generate meaningful knowledge exchange, innovation and sustainable development outcomes beyond the events themselves.

    As Sarawak continues to strengthen its position in the regional business events landscape, collaboration with national partners will remain a key pillar in ensuring that the sector delivers lasting economic, social and intellectual impact for Malaysia.

  • SAJI Raikan Kemeriahan Syawal Dengan Kempen “Menyala Lagi Raya”

    Hadir melancarkan majlis ialah Pengerusi FELDA, Dato Sri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Pengarah Besar FELDA; Dato Dr Suzana Idayu Wati Osman, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Kumpulan FGV Holdings Berhad, Dato Fakhrunniam Othman, Ahli Lembaga Pengarah FGV Holdings Berhad; Nurul Muhaniza Hanafi dan Ketua Produk Pengguna Kumpulan FGV Holdings Berhad; Aznur Kama Azmir.

    FGV Holdings Berhad (FGV) menerusi jenama SAJI telah lebih 25 tahun bertapak sebagai antara jenama pilihan isi rumah di Malaysia. Dikenali dengan minyak masak berasaskan sawit berkualiti tinggi, SAJI kini berkembang sebagai jenama kulinari yang menawarkan pelbagai produk keperluan dapur termasuk marjerin, krimer, mi segera serta aneka bahan masakan seperti sos, kicap dan pes, selari dengan cita rasa dan gaya hidup pengguna Malaysia masa kini.

    Sempena musim perayaan tahun ini, SAJI melancarkan kempen Menyala Lagi Raya yang mengangkat tema semangat Aidilfitri yang sentiasa menyala dalam setiap rumah. Majlis pelancaran telah berlangsung pada Khamis, 12 Februari 2026 dalam suasana penuh bermakna di Menara Felda. Sebagai tunjang utama kempen, SAJI bakal mempersembahkan sebuah muzikal lagu Raya yang menggabungkan elemen hiburan, emosi dan tradisi dalam penceritaan yang dekat dengan realiti masyarakat. Lebih daripada sekadar karya kreatif, Menyala Lagi Raya mencerminkan komitmen berterusan SAJI dalam menyemarakkan sambutan Aidilfitri serta mengukuhkan peranannya sebagai teman setia di dapur rakyat Malaysia.

    Sejak diperkenalkan pada tahun 2000, SAJI telah menjadi sebahagian daripada kehidupan dan dapur rakyat Malaysia. Bukan sekadar minyak masak pilihan, SAJI kini terus berkembang selari dengan aspirasi FGV untuk menjadi Teman Kulinari rakyat Malaysia, membantu setiap keluarga menyediakan hidangan yang lazat, praktikal dan penuh kasih sayang. Kini, SAJI menguasai lebih 37 peratus pasaran minyak masak tempatan, mencerminkan kekuatan jenama serta kepercayaan pengguna yang kukuh selama lebih dua dekad. Sebagai antara pengeluar makanan terkemuka negara, FGV turut menerajui jenama seperti SERI PELANGI, ADELA, PREMEO dan GULA PRAI dalam menyokong agenda keterjaminan makanan negara dengan memastikan rakyat mempunyai akses kepada produk berkualiti, berkhasiat dan mampu milik.

    Dalam majlis yang sama, SAJI turut memperkenalkan maskot rasminya yang dinamakan Kak Ji sebagai simbol baharu jenama tersebut. Kak Ji bukan sekadar watak yang menceriakan, malah melambangkan nilai teras SAJI iaitu kualiti, kehangatan dan semangat dalam memasak. Maskot ini mencerminkan peranan SAJI sebagai keperluan asas dapur yang serbaguna, sentiasa menemani pelbagai jenis masakan dan menjadi sentuhan istimewa yang menyempurnakan setiap hidangan.

    Bagi memperkukuhkan kedudukannya sebagai pengeluar produk pengguna yang dinamik, SAJI turut memperkenalkan dua produk terbaharu iaitu SAJI Pelengkap Rasa dan SAJI Tepung Goreng Serbaguna. SAJI Pelengkap Rasa merupakan campuran rempah serbaguna yang boleh ditambah terus ketika memasak atau digunakan sebagai bahan perapan dan gosokan kering pada daging serta ikan sebelum dibakar atau dipanggang. Ia hadir dalam tekstur granul yang memudahkan penggunaan, dilengkapi pembungkusan zip lock untuk mengekalkan kesegaran, tanpa pewarna tambahan dan diperbuat daripada bawang asli bagi memberikan rasa yang lebih autentik.

    SAJI Tepung Goreng Serbaguna pula ditawarkan dalam dua variasi iaitu Gorengan Asli dan Gorengan Pedas. Produk ini dirumus khas untuk menghasilkan gorengan yang rangup dan keemasan, sesuai untuk pelbagai jenis hidangan. Selain kaedah gorengan menggunakan minyak, ia juga sesuai digunakan dengan air fryer, menjadikannya pilihan lebih praktikal dan serba guna untuk gaya masakan moden.

    Seperti tahun-tahun sebelumnya, kempen ini turut menampilkan Peraduan SAJI Beli & Menang dengan hadiah keseluruhan bernilai sehingga RM50,000. Untuk menyertainya, pengguna hanya perlu membeli produk SAJI, SERI PELANGI, PREMEO, ADELA atau GULA PRAI bernilai RM25 ke atas dan menghantar bukti pembelian melalui WhatsApp.

    Pada tahun ini, SAJI turut berkolaborasi bersama rakan strategik Felda Travel dan Seri Pacific Hotel bagi pelbagai inisiatif menarik. Menerusi kerjasama dengan Felda Travel, pemenang hadiah utama berpeluang menikmati Pakej Umrah Super Saver untuk dua orang bernilai RM5,555 seorang, atau pakej percutian setara bagi pemenang bukan Muslim dengan nilai keseluruhan hadiah sehingga RM10,000. SAJI juga mempersembahkan Inspirasi Citarasa Ramadan musim kedua, yang menampilkan 15 video resipi eksklusif hasil sentuhan chef terkemuka dari Seri Pacific Hotel. Menggunakan produk SAJI, setiap hidangan diinspirasikan khas untuk juadah berbuka dan sahur, dan telah disiarkan sepanjang Ramadan di platform media sosial rasmi SAJI termasuk Instagram dan Facebook. Selain itu, setiap pembelian pakej Buffet Ramadan di Seri Pacific Hotel sepanjang bulan Ramadan turut melayakkan penyertaan dalam peraduan SAJI Beli & Menang, di samping tawaran Pakej Balik Kampung SAJI yang dijual di hotel berkenaan.

    Dalam usaha mendekati pengguna secara lebih menyeluruh, SAJI juga akan menjalankan aktiviti pensampelan selama 320 hari di pasar raya terpilih di seluruh Malaysia bagi meningkatkan pengalaman penggunaan produk serta mengukuhkan hubungan jenama bersama pengguna. Orang ramai turut dijemput menantikan pelancaran muzik video Raya SAJI “Menyala Lagi Raya” yang bakal diperkenalkan tidak lama lagi menerusi platform media sosial rasmi SAJI di TikTok, Instagram, Facebook dan YouTube.

  • Lotus’s Makes Chinese New Year Shopping Easier and More Rewarding with Semuanya Ekstra Ongsem

    Lotus’s Makes Chinese New Year Shopping Easier and More Rewarding with Semuanya Ekstra Ongsem

    Lotuss Stores (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (Lotus’s Malaysia) ushers in the Year of the Fire Horse with the launch of its Chinese New Year 2026 festive campaign, “Semuanya Ekstra Ongsem; 真好价，更HO SEH”, reaffirming its commitment to making festive celebrations more affordable, convenient and stress-free for Malaysians. Built around the concept of “Ekstra” — extra value, extra care and extra thoughtfulness — the campaign goes beyond discounts to offer a complete festive shopping experience, covering everything from daily groceries and reunion dinner essentials to rewards, activities and immersive in-store experiences.

    According to Lee May Li, Commercial Director of Lotus’s Malaysia, the campaign is centred on delivering practical value without compromise. In addition to attractive deals, Lotus’s has placed extra emphasis on curating relevant products, meaningful rewards and engaging activities that reflect how Malaysians truly celebrate Chinese New Year. By offering a well-balanced festive assortment that combines quality, affordability and everyday essentials, the retailer aims to help customers save time while enjoying the season with greater peace of mind.

    From 1 January to 25 February, shoppers can enjoy discounts of up to 50 per cent on more than 1,500 festive essentials across categories such as groceries, fresh produce, health and beauty, home living, fashion and electrical appliances. Highlights include exclusive Lotus’s products like Golden Lotus Jasmine Sun White Rice and specially-sized beverages, attractive reunion dinner promotions on premium seafood such as XXL prawns, abalone and bay scallops, as well as twin-bundle deals on Lotus’s Own Brand staples. Gifting is made easier with Chinese New Year hampers from RM98 and premium fruit gift boxes, while festive fashion, home, lifestyle and beauty items are also available at compelling discounts.

    Media members and brand partners (Maggi, Mondelez and Coca-Cola) joined in the symbolic dumpling making session together with the guidance of Chef Hakimi from Nestle. The ingredients of the dumplings are all sourced from Lotus’s, with the simple recipe from Nestle.

    To further elevate the festive spirit, Lotus’s introduces CNY World at 31 selected outlets nationwide. These experiential zones feature interactive activities, product sampling, live cooking demonstrations and brand-led games, transforming routine shopping into a celebratory experience. Customers who participate stand a chance to win prizes from a RM700,000 pool, including premium vehicles such as the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé, Proton e.MAS 7 Premium SUV and JAECOO J7 SUV, as well as Thermomix kitchen appliances.

    Exclusive rewards are also available for My Lotus’s members, with total prizes worth RM888,888 up for grabs. Members who spend a minimum of RM128 per receipt and submit their entries via the Lotus’s Malaysia App can qualify for weekly cash rewards and grand prizes, adding further value to their festive shopping. Complementing the in-store activities are nationwide roadshows and collaborations, including MY FM DJ appearances, My Lotus’s roadshows with freebies for members and an exclusive KYO collaboration offering prizes such as smartphones, gold bars, premium appliances and cash rewards.

    Yee Sang tossing joined by Lee May Li, Lotus’s Commercial Director (third from left – in black), Neil Gurusamy, Lotus’s Malaysia COO (second from right), brand partners Maggi, Mondelez, official beverage partner Coca-Cola, and media members.

    Recognizing the needs of businesses and bulk buyers, Lotus’s also provides dedicated support for HoReCa operators and organizations requiring large-scale purchases or festive gifting. Professional HoReCa Business Counters are available at selected stores, while customer service teams nationwide are on hand to assist. The campaign was officially launched through an immersive media event with brand partners such as Maggi, Mondelez and official beverage partner Coca-Cola, featuring festive activities like dumpling-making and Yee Sang tossing — underscoring Lotus’s promise of making Chinese New Year celebrations easy, rewarding and truly “ekstra” for all.

    To learn more about the ongoing activities under Lotus’s Malaysia’s Semuanya Ekstra Ongsem banner,
    refer to its official channels at:

  • Sarawak Government Formally Implements Legacy Impact Initiatives in Collaboration with BESA

    Sarawak Government Formally Implements Legacy Impact Initiatives in Collaboration with BESA

    The Sarawak government has taken a major step in strengthening the business events sector with the official adoption of the Borneo Legacy Declaration and the launch of the Business Events Sarawak Alliance (BESA) during the Sarawak Business Events Forum. This initiative positions business events as strategic tools for delivering long-term policy outcomes and sustainable development across the state. The Borneo Legacy Declaration, formed during the Legacy Event Advocacy Policy (LEAP) Summit in October 2025, unites 36 policymakers and industry leaders from countries including Malaysia, Australia, Korea, the Philippines, the UK, and the US to champion legacy-driven events that foster sustainable economic growth.

    BESA will serve as a collaborative platform connecting Sarawak’s government ministries with BESarawak to leverage business events for positive social, economic, and environmental outcomes aligned with the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030. Starting in 2026, ministries will host and participate in national and international business events, prioritizing homegrown events through structured qualification processes. The platform also offers capacity-building programmes to enhance legacy impact advocacy among government agencies.

    The Honorable Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah signs the Borneo Legacy Declaration.

    The Honorable Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, representing the Premier of Sarawak, highlighted the sector’s success, noting a 100% event bidding success rate and the growth of 72 homegrown events, including the Borneo International Water & Wastewater Exhibition & Conference and International Energy Week. Deputy State Secretary Datu Hii Chang Kee emphasized that the sector’s achievements result from strategic planning and a robust ecosystem, underscoring the importance of government-industry collaboration for future growth.

    Amelia Roziman, CEO of BESarawak, hailed the government’s adoption of a legacy impact strategy as a landmark move, reinforcing Sarawak’s focus on sustainable and inclusive development in line with the state’s 13th Malaysia Plan (2026–2030). This development plan prioritizes high-impact investments in infrastructure, renewable energy, digitalization, human capital, and rural development, alongside strengthening key sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, and services, ensuring long-term prosperity for the state.

  • AppWorks Highlights 8 Malaysia–Singapore Startups Pioneering Urban, SME, and Capital Innovation at MVCA 2025

    AppWorks Highlights 8 Malaysia–Singapore Startups Pioneering Urban, SME, and Capital Innovation at MVCA 2025

    AppWorks Demo Day #31 landed in Kuala Lumpur today as part of the Malaysian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (MVCA) Conference 2025, themed Beyond Borders: Positioning ASEAN in the Global Private Capital Renaissance. The event highlighted eight dynamic startups from Malaysia and Singapore, all innovating across AI, Web3, robotics, and urban infrastructure, offering investors, corporates, and ecosystem builders a glimpse into Southeast Asia’s next generation of scalable ventures. Malaysian founders showcased solutions addressing everyday challenges—from urban congestion to accessible investment opportunities—with companies like Parkit, which optimizes parking infrastructure for businesses and MRT commuters; Carching, a data-driven out-of-home advertising platform using everyday vehicles; Plandora, providing AI-powered travel planning via creator-authenticated itineraries; and Singular, which democratizes access to private equity through on-chain fractional shares.

    Singapore-based startups presented Malaysia as a strategic first-market for regional expansion, demonstrating readiness to scale cross-border. These included Farmio, an AI-driven food supply chain platform; Fluid, a B2B payments and embedded credit solution; Hivebotics, which deploys AI-powered commercial cleaning robots; and Alpha Story, a platform turning complex technologies into clear, investment-ready digital narratives. Together, the eight startups illustrated a region-wide shift towards operational resilience, scalable solutions, and cross-border growth in line with Southeast Asia’s projected USD 360 billion digital economy by 2026 and a USD 120 billion AI-driven GDP uplift by 2027.

    The Demo Day combined rapid-fire pitches with an alumni fireside chat, providing actionable insights into scaling businesses across ASEAN markets. Speakers such as TK Chuah, Founder & CEO of Bootsorder, and Sophie Chu, Principal of AppWorks AI Arm, offered guidance on leveraging community support, navigating new regulatory environments, and adopting North Asia’s fast AI adoption trends to scale confidently. Highlighting Malaysia as a strategic bridge for talent, capital, and technology, the event emphasized that sustainable growth in Southeast Asia demands market agility, deep customer understanding, and cross-border collaboration. By positioning founders directly in front of investors and corporate decision-makers, AppWorks and MVCA reinforced Malaysia’s growing role as a hub for high-potential, regionally minded startups ready to make an impact across ASEAN and beyond.

  • Amelia Roziman Makes History as the First Asian to Be Appointed as a Trustee of The Iceberg

    Amelia Roziman Makes History as the First Asian to Be Appointed as a Trustee of The Iceberg

    Amelia Roziman, Chief Executive Officer of Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Asian and the only Malaysian appointed as a Trustee of The Iceberg, a leading global authority dedicated to championing the legacy impact of business and professional events. Her appointment not only strengthens Asia’s representation in the global conversation on legacy-driven business events but also reinforces the region’s growing influence in shaping sustainable impacts for communities, economies, and the environment. This honour follows closely after Amelia received The Iceberg Excellence Award on 2 October 2025, further cementing her as one of the most influential voices in the international business events arena.

    In expressing her gratitude, Amelia described the role as both a personal achievement and a collective milestone for Asia’s business events community. She emphasised that The Iceberg’s mission aligns seamlessly with Sarawak’s long-term vision and her own dedication to creating meaningful, measurable legacies through business events. With nearly two decades of leadership experience, she has consistently advocated for the transformative potential of business events, highlighting their ability to generate real social, economic, and environmental impact. Amelia noted that she intends to continue championing Asia’s growth by drawing from Sarawak’s success and the values cultivated within its business events ecosystem.

    Founder of The Iceberg, James Latham, praised Amelia’s appointment, describing her as an exceptional addition to the Board. He underscored that The Iceberg is built upon inclusivity and global representation—qualities Amelia embodies through her leadership in advancing legacy-driven business events. Latham also noted her strong government-backed efforts in elevating the industry beyond its traditional role as a visitor economy driver, positioning her contributions as invaluable not only to Sarawak and Malaysia but to the global community.

    Amelia’s influence in the industry is well-established. Since 2006, she has played a pivotal role in shaping Malaysia’s business events landscape, leading Sarawak to win 29 destination marketing awards and earning 10 professional accolades. Among her most notable achievements is becoming the first Asian woman inducted into the prestigious Events Industry Council (EIC) Hall of Leaders in 2023. As she steps into her new role, she joins a distinguished Board of Trustees—including Caroline MacKenzie, James Latham, Martin Sirk, Sarah Fleming, Ben Hainsworth, Geneviève Leclerc, Oscar Cerezales, and Gregg Talley—who collectively guide The Iceberg’s development as a charitable trust and oversee its governance and strategic direction.

    Amelia’s appointment marks a significant moment for Asia’s business events community, underscoring the region’s growing leadership on the global stage and reaffirming Sarawak’s position as a progressive, legacy-driven destination.