BY ALEXANDRA LORNA and TANIA MATU
KUCHING: The upcoming Sarawak Fair 2022 in Singapore will promote the state as both an investment and tourism destination to generate sustained interest in its products and services.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the fair organised by the Sarawak Trade, Investment and Tourism Office Singapore (STATOS) will be held from Nov 21-27 in Suntec City East Atrium, Singapore.
“The business-to-consumer fair has attracted 31 exhibitors to date. Sarawak has much to offer Singapore based consumers, especially for short stay or weekend break travel to escape the city.
“This fair is not only about showcasing Sarawak’s tourism products but also includes the promotion of important longer-term trade and investment opportunities,” he said during a press conference here on Wednesday.
He said after the launch of STATOS in Singapore in 2019, the state has seen an increase in collaboration, meetings and visits on a bilateral basis between Sarawak and Singapore.
“We believe that there are still many more opportunities that can be uncovered especially increasing the number of export products being sold in Singapore.
“We are keen to expand this area to get to a level where economies of scale will bring down the transport and logistics costs of getting our products to the Singapore market,” he said.
At the fair, there will be 17 booths focusing on tourism and 14 booths focusing on trade and investment products.
“Sarawak is in a great position to supply what Singapore needs in terms of trade and investment opportunities, especially in the areas of agriculture, aquaculture, reducing carbon footprints and renewable energy.
“Sarawak Fair this year is just the precursor of many larger-scale events that we plan to hold in Singapore in the future,” he added.
The fair will highlight six themes namely Travel & Tourism, Nature, Adventure & Heritage; People, Culture & Community: Arts, Events & Festivals; Food, Leisure & Entertainment; and Trade, Business, Investment S-MM2H.
Visitors purchasing a tour package during the event will be able to ‘Spin the Wheel’ for prizes worth more than RM100,000 provided by sponsors.
These include 40 return air tickets with Malaysia Airlines, Scoot and Air Asia to Kuching or Miri; resort and hotel vouchers; discount vouchers for holiday packages and sample products including bird’s nest and Sarawak pepper.
Other highlights will include live performances by six-piece Kuching band, Meruked”, playing traditional sounds of Borneo with a modern twist; displays by ‘Kuching Gastronomical journey’ operators – Foodish Trip: ‘Discover Sarawak on Two Wheels’ by DYRT Academy and ‘Art Jamming’ by artist Gerald Goh.
