Dr Renco Yong, Executive Director of Gimhwak Group of Companies, has been appointed the new Chairman of the Sibu Business Events Committee (SBEC). Dr Yong chaired his first SBEC meeting with all 27 committee members yesterday, 25 July, at Tanahmas Hotel in Sibu.
A Visionary Leader:
A PhD holder in Maritime Technology, Dr Renco Yong’s academic achievements are matched by his real-world success in the shipping industry. He transformed a traditional, family-owned shipping business in Sibu into a modern international powerhouse, securing ISO 9001 in 2023 and winning several business and industry awards.
Dr Yong is an industry advocate with high-ranking membership positions in seven regional, national, and local maritime and related associations such as the Association of Maritime Industries of Malaysia, Federation of Malaysia Manufacturers, Sarawak Association of Maritime Industries, and Sarawak and Sabah Shipowners Association (SSSA).
Dr Renco also boasts director and advisor positions in four local educational institutions, is a council member of the Malaysia Ministry of Transport National Shipping and Port Council and is a board member of the Malaysia Ministry of Transport Domestic Shipping License. He is a sought-after speaker, sharing his expertise in over 100 business events worldwide regarding maritime and related industries.
Vision for Growth:
The Sibu Business Events Committee was formed in 2019 as the Business Events Consortium of Sibu and revamped as the Sibu Business Events Committee in 2022. SBEC is under Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), comprising local industry players and stakeholders collaborating to push innovation and growth specific to Sibu’s business events industry. Since SBEC, Sibu has hosted 46 business events worth approximately RM150.4 million in total economic impact, making it the second most active host city in Sarawak after Kuching.
“SBEC is a proactive business community with a collaborative spirit. With Dr Yong’s diverse skillsets and strong business acumen, we believe that SBEC can globalise Sibu into a truly competitive business events destination in Malaysia, said Amelia Roziman, CEO of BESarawak. “There are eight business events in the pipeline for Sibu this year worth RM33.7 million in total economic impact, and a majority are homegrown conferences drawing national and international delegates. Sibu is a self-made success story and SBEC can become a force to be reckoned with.”
“My mission is to lead SBEC in a holistic approach, where securing events goes hand-in-hand with fostering long-term industry growth in Sibu such as developing much-needed local talents and enhancing event standards,” said Dr Renco Yong. “I hope to inject more creative energy and innovative thinking to strengthen and sustain our industry. It is an honour to be elected chairman and a responsibility that will receive my full attention.”
Aside from a formal introduction, yesterday’s SBEC meeting updated members on the city’s current progress. The Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau also joined the session, represented by Mohamad Isa Abdul Halim, Director of Meeting and Support Incentives, who introduced the national bureau’s latest incentives for the industry.
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