THE PRESS CONFERENCE OF THE WORLD SEAFOOD CONGRESS 2019 BID ANNOUNCEMENT

SPEECH BY CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG
AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE OF THE WORLD SEAFOOD CONGRESS 2019 BID ANNOUNCEMENT
12.30 pm | Wednesday, 20 September 2017
George Town, Penang

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen;

I am very proud to announce that Penang has been selected as the first Asian destination in history to host the World Seafood Congress that will be held in September 2019.

The World Seafood Congress was initiated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and is owned by The International Association of Food Inspectors (IAFI).

Each congress is organised by a selected institute in the host country and was first hosted in Halifax in 1969. The congress is considered a platform for the exchange of information, ideas, and methodologies for the seafood sector, as well as on inspection, quality management, and seafood processing technology. The state's support for this congress is RM500,000 whereas the estimated economic impact of this 500 delegates, 3-day congress is estimated at RM3million. But more importantly is the global recognition of Penang as an important site for fishing and and fish farming.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The Team Penang delegation led by Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB), an agency under the Penang State Government, and local host Penang Institute, Malaysia’s leading research institute and think-tank put together a winning bid. We showcased the best expertise, venues and services that Penang has to support and organise an international association congress.

The Team Penang delegation also included Penang State Government officials, namely Penang State Exco for Religious Affairs, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, YB Dato’ Abdul Malik, Penang State Exco for Agriculture, Agro-Based Industries, Health and Rural Development, YB Dr. Afif Bahardin, and ADUN Jawi YB Soon Lip Chee. The commitment and support of the state government contributed has led to Penang successfully securing the bid against other Asia countries like Thailand, China and Japan.

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is of great honour to us that the first World Seafood Congress in Asia will be held here. We get to create a legacy for the larger fishery and aquaculture industry in Asia.

Congresses like this are as important to the host destinations as well the delegates. We get to discover and learn from the experts regarding the sector and what we can do to improve it. In 2016, Penang’s fishery sector recorded a revenue of RM1.3 billion or USD 300 million, basically the largest fish farming on the sea in Malaysia. The fish farms are located off Sungai Udang near the second Penang Bridge and also off Pulau Jerejak. We believe this congress will bring more awareness and innovation to our fishery industry and as well as expose ourselves to world standards and practices.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The future for business events in Penang is looking positive. Penang is home to the world’s first hybrid solar powered convention centre – the Setia SPICE Convention Centre. By 2019, we will have over 20,000 rooms per night in accommodations ranging from five-star hotels and resorts, business class hotels, boutique hotels and serviced residences.

With PCEB actively marketing Penang as a Business Events destination and bidding for events, I hope that Penang will get to host many more international association congresses.

Thank you.