Sarawak Regatta Trade Fair 2007 to be held from Aug 31 to Sept 2

KUCHING: Tourism and automobile players in the State are invited to participate in the first grand ‘Sarawak Regatta Trade Fair 2007’ which will be held in conjunction with the forthcoming  International Sarawak Regatta here.

Jointly organised by Sarawak Bumiputera Tourism Entrepreneurs Association, Tourism Malaysia and Avid Management, the fair will be held from August 31 to September 2 at Kuching Waterfront, with the theme, ‘The Best of Malaysia.’

The fair has so far attracted 30 exhibitors especially from tourism organisations nationwide.

“Sarawak regatta should be celebrated on a grand scale with extra activities such as trade fair to attract participants from the corporate and business sectors,” said Member of Parliament for Petra Jaya, Haji Fadillah Haji Yusof, who is also the organising chairman of the fairs.

On the statement here yesterday, Fadillah who is also the protem chairman of Sarawak Bumiputera Tourism Entrepreneurs Association, said that the fair would also help generate 25% growth in attendance to the main event.

The trade fair will become a hub for tourism and automobile industries and it also promotes economic growth among the participants.

“Local tourism players and automobile entrepreneurs should seize this opportunity because their participation will contribute towards intensifying and expanding their products and services to the large crowd during the three-day event,” he said.

Fadillah also revealed that among the activities that will be held during the fair include mini concerts, street busking, magician and clown performances, face painting and motor show.

“The concerts are part of the re-branding of Sarawak Regatta so as to establish itself as a colourful event as well as a celebration that coincide with the 50th Malaysia Independence Day,” he added.

Held by the Sarawak River from August 31 to September 2, the annual Sarawak Regatta draws on the country’s rich history and traditions.

Originally a contest between different tribes who raced their war canoes against one another, the event is now a great family day out and each year draws huge crowds that line the riverbank.

After the traditional canoe races, kayaks and jet-skis take to the water to wow the crowds.

“We hope to get 15,000 domestic and international tourists  to visit this year’s fair,” said Fadillah.

For more information or enquiries about the trade fair, call the Project Director, Mohd Amrin Annuar at 013- 8067250 or Shukri Latip at 016- 8539566.

Written by:
Marilyn Ten
Eastern Times
14 August 2007