KOTA KINABALU: The contruction of the highly anticipated Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) is expected to be completed by October this year, Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Haji Aman said.
“The construction of SICC is expected to be completed by October. After inspecting SICC, I have found that the area is big and in good condition.
“Construction is still ongoing and we hope that the building can be completed in time,” Musa told reporters this when met during a site visit to the project yesterday.
He asserted that the completion of SICC would open doors for more Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events (Mice) related activities to be conducted in the state capital.
Musa said since the state does not have enough halls that can host international conventions, having such a spacious area as the SICC would solve that problem.
“This is what the businessmen and the traders of the state need, a place for them to hold their conventions,” he asserted, adding that all relevant parties must work closely to ensure the due completion of the building.
“I would also like to thank Primer Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who will be visiting Sabah today (Thursday) for allocating RM250 million for the development of SICC as well as Sabah Foundation for their financial support,” Musa disclosed.
The SICC, which is 15 acres in size, will be equipped with technologically advanced facilities as well as a Performing Arts Hall that can house up to 1,200 guests.
The Performing Arts Hall, located at the second level, will feature four simultaneous interpretation booths, a built-in stage with technologically advanced audio visuals and stage lightings, a rehearsal room and ample holding storage, green rooms and dressing rooms, among others.
Meanwhile, the exhibition hall is 5,400 square meters in size and it can be further divided into three halls, complete with a pre-function hall and an exhibition storage.
On top of that, SICC will also be equipped with 22 meeting rooms, an open plaza for outdoor exhibitions and activities as well as a convention hall (that can further be divided into three halls) along with numerous VIP lounges, F&B outlets and a cafeteria.
To give visitors an ease of mind, the SICC will have 1,041 parking lots.
During the visit, Musa was accompanied by various state ministers and leaders as well as Sabah Foundation representatives.