Malaysia - Borneo is poised to open doors to its first purpose-built international convention centre next month.
The leaf-shaped roof of the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), will become stand-out feature in the Malaysian state of Sarawak, on the island of Borneo, when it opens on 18 October.
Deputy chairman of BCCK and assistant minister in the chief minister's department of economic planning, Larry Sng, says the venue will create an economic multiplier effect of 1.6, benefitting hotels, restaurants, shops, taxis, airlines, banks and other related industries.
Sng claims the tropical venue offers international visitors and exhibitors a unique experience. “Being the first world class convention centre on the island of Borneo, home to one of the world's oldest tropical rainforests, is something that cannot be replicated elsewhere as yet,” he comments.
The venue recently won the right to host the prestigious Napoleon Hill International Convention 2010, a two-day event for budding entrepreneurs held on 24 and 25 June next year. The convention is expected to generate more than RM 2.7million (US$760,000) for the local hospitality and tourism sector.
When fully operational, the event will have more than 200 full-time staff and up to 300 part-time staff, and will be able to accommodate exhibitions and conventions for up to 5,000 delegates.
The roof of the building is shaped like a ririk leaf, still used for wrapping food across the island. The structure features a five-metre track that will channel rainwater to irrigate the centre’s grounds, while its designers estimate that annually, BCCK will have 100 hours of solar gains, reducing its energy consumption.
