Combining trade events saves cost — Masidi

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ONE FOR THE ALBUM: Masidi (third left) with the BITF 2011 delegation led by KCCI president Alli Masri (second left).

KOTA KINABALU: Organsing one major trade show a year instead of several will go a long way in reducing needless expenses, said Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun.

It would also be even better to incorporate these events with a state-organised event such as Sabah Fest, he added.

According to Masidi, he understands that trade fairs cost a lot of money to organise so by combining an event with a Government-organised one, the expenses can be reduced.

“I suggest that the chambers of commerce and industries as well as organisers of other events sit down and discuss the possibility of combining their events,” he said during a courtesy call by the Borneo International Trade Fair (BITF) 2011 Organising Committee.

“I understand that the expos are aimed at showcasing the products we have but if the same products are exhibited in several trade fairs, the desired impact is not there,” he said, adding that there is no point of doing the same thing and expect different results.

The KadazanDusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) will organise the event this year, scheduled to be held from Nov 10 – 13 at the Likas Sports Complex.

The BITF is a biennial trade event sanctioned by the State Government and organised by the Sabah Bumiputera Chamber of Commerce (SBCC), the KadazanDusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the Sabah United Chinese Chambers of Commerce (SUCCC) in rotation.

The first BITF 2007, held four years ago, achieved an unprecedented success through massive participation and support of local companies and the BIMP-EAGA region.

The 4-day multi-sectoral trade fair involved more than 150 participants from various industries and countries.

Masidi added that organising a trade fair together with a state event such as the Sabah Fest is akin to ‘killing two birds with one stone’ as the expo will attract the international business community and tourists.

“The visitors would be more inclined to stay on in Sabah when there are many activities for them to choose from…they can go from being a participant of the expo to a tourist enjoying the Sabah Fest,” he stressed.

Masidi pointed out the need to find a new mechanism to attract more people to participate in the events organised in Sabah.

“We need to exhibit new products because that is what trade shows are for so we need to really strategise and go for niche markets,” he stressed.