June 2021

The business events and tourism industry in Sarawak became the first industry in the country, to initiate the setting up of an industrial vaccination centre for covid-19 – led by Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Sarawak in collaboration with the Sarawak Tourism Federation Ministry of Health of Malaysia and Timberland Medical Centre.

Over 2,000 industry front liners have voluntarily registered, for the industrial vaccination programme through their respective employers, which was held from June 24 to 27 this year at the Association of Churches Sarawak.

A total of 321 industry partners were vaccinated on the first day on June 24, and it is anticipated, that all registered participants, will be vaccinated throughout the four-day programme.

Currently, Sarawak has the highest number of vaccinations being given out in the country, with over one million people vaccinated. This heightens the prospects of Sarawak loosening travel restrictions for the purpose of hosting regional business events before end of the year.

Amelia Roziman, chief executive officer of Business Events Sarawak stated that: despite the current situation, Sarawak’s business events industry is already laying the groundwork to prepare for business and travel again.

She said when events return to Sarawak, the industry is equipped to implement the standard operating procedures of the pandemic with business events planners, taking advantage of incentivised packages offered and attending extensive education programmes.

Currently added the chief executive officer, discussions are being held between BESarawak and the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau to forge a possible interstate collaboration in an effort, to reopen the country’s business events industry.

The global economy is expected to expand 5.6 percent in 2021, the fastest post-recession pace in 80 years, largely on strong rebounds from a few major economies. However, many emerging market and developing economies continue to struggle with the covid-19 pandemic and its aftermath, the World Bank says in its June 2021 Global Economic Prospects.

Despite the recovery, global output will be about two percent below pre-pandemic projections by the end of this year. Per capita income losses will not be unwound by 2022 for about two-thirds of emerging market and developing economies. Among low-income economies, where vaccination has lagged, the effects of the pandemic have reversed poverty reduction gains and aggravated insecurity and other long-standing challenges.

Among major economies, U.S. growth is projected to reach 6.8 percent this year, reflecting large-scale fiscal support and the easing of pandemic restrictions. Growth in other advanced economies is also firming, but to a lesser extent. Among emerging markets and developing economies, China is anticipated to rebound to 8.5 percent this year, reflecting the release of pent-up demand.

Emerging market and developing economies as a group are forecast to expand six percent this year, supported by higher demand and elevated commodity prices. However, the recovery in many countries is being held back by a resurgence of covid-19 cases and lagging vaccination progress, as well as the withdrawal of policy support in some instances. Excluding China, the rebound in this group of countries is anticipated to be a more modest 4.4 percent.

The recovery among emerging market and developing economies is forecast to moderate to 4.7 percent in 2022. Even so, gains in this group of economies are not sufficient to recoup losses experienced during the 2020 recession, and output in 2022 is expected to be 4.1 percent below pre-pandemic projections.

Per capita income in many emerging market and developing economies is also expected to remain below pre-pandemic levels, and losses are anticipated to worsen deprivations associated with health, education and living standards. Major drivers of growth had been expected to lose momentum even before the covid-19 crisis, and the trend is likely to be amplified by the scarring effects of the pandemic.

Growth in low-income economies this year is anticipated to be the slowest in the past 20 years other than 2020, partly reflecting the very slow pace of vaccination. Low-income economies are forecast to expand by 2.9 percent in 2021 before picking up to 4.7 percent in 2022. The group’s output level in 2022 is projected to be 4.9 percent lower than pre-pandemic projections.

Excerpt from press release by The World Bank

The partnership event will bring together professionals from across the world for four days of one-to-one business meetings, networking sessions and a programme of live and on-demand education sessions.  It will be held at the Marina Bay Sands from June 28 to July 1.

Singapore MICE Forum or SMF is a flagship industry event of Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers.

SMF x IBTM Wired will also gather a group of up to 250 event professionals in Singapore with an estimation of up to 1000 joining online, for a day of focused discussions on how event design, digital and community engagement are cornerstones of business success

Expert speakers from PCMA, UFI, Singapore Tourism Board, SACEOS, and several leading organisations will share and exchange views, on proven transformative ideas and how the industry can apply them.

IBTM Wired is now a permanent addition to IBTM’s global portfolio of B2B events and intelligence for the meetings, incentives, conferences and events industry.

For more information visit: ibtmwired.com

The event will take place online from June 28 to July 1 and is a permanent addition to IBTM’s global portfolio of B2B events and intelligence for the meetings, incentives, conferences and events industry.

Built by Sector Global, the event will be open 24 hours a day for the event’s duration to enable the global community tailor their schedule to their time zone. During the event, attendees will embark on a virtual world tour.

Each day, will provide key insights into a region, from industry outlooks to expert opinions that will help professionals discover new opportunities, expand their areas of focus, and get the latest information on each region’s recovery.

Schedule of the event:

• Asia Pacific (June 28) IBTM has partnered with SACEOS (Singapore Association for Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers) to create SMF X IBTM Wired, which will see this year’s hybrid Singapore MICE Forum (SMF) integrated into the programme for IBTM Wired with an education programme that focuses on new ways of community engagement, design thinking and innovation.
• North and South America (June 29) when the education programme will delve into how to deliver quality experiences and premium service.
• Middle East and Africa (June 30) with education sessions focusing on networking, data and analysis, and energy.
• Europe (July 1) when the sessions will explore power and success within learning and development.

Meanwhile IBTM TV will run a packed programme of live and on-demand education sessions that will provide valuable learning experiences, inspirational ideas and the sharing of best practices giving professionals, the key tools for the next chapter in meetings and events.

For more information, please visit www.ibtmwired.com

MICE in Asia is a media partner of IBTM Wired.