SPEECH BY THE RIGHT HONORABLE LIM GUAN ENG 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.
—-
槟城首席部长林冠英发布世界海产代表大会成功夺标2019年主办权之新闻稿2017年9月20日 重要如下：
我很高兴向各位宣布，槟城已经获选成为历史上第一个举办世界海产代表大会的亚洲城市，这个大会将于2019年9月举行。
世界海产代表大会，是由联合国粮食与农业组织（FAO），及联合国工业发展组织（UNIDO）所联合发起的活动， 并且归国际食品检验协会（IAFI）掌管。
每一次的海产大会，由获得主办权的国家遴选一个团体负责处理主办事项，第一次的海产大会于1969年在哈立法克斯举行。
举办大会的主要目的，是提供一个交流平台，进行海鲜食品方面有关资讯、创点及方法等交流，并且进行品质管理、检查及海鲜处理科技的讨论。州政府拨出50万令吉来协助主办事宜，这次为期三天、动员500名代表的大会，预计将带来300万令吉的经济效益。更重要的是，它代表着国际间对槟州渔业及养鱼业的认可。
由州政府属下，槟城会议与展览机构（PCEB）与槟城研究院带领的团队，与马来西亚顶尖研究所集思广益，共同构想而成功竞标。我们展示出槟城对这项大会能够给予的最好专业知识、地点及服务。
槟城的团队包括槟州政府代表，槟州国内贸易、消费人及宗教事务委员会主席拿督阿都马烈，槟州农业、农基工业、乡区发展及卫生事务委员会主席阿菲夫行政议员和槟城爪夷区州议员孙意志。州政府的承诺及支持最终让槟城脱颖而出，击退其他亚洲国家如泰国、中国和日本赢得主办权。
槟城能够成为世界海产大会的亚洲主办城市是槟城极大的荣幸。我们有幸为亚洲的渔业及水产业留下庞大的价值。
这一类型的大会对主办当局和出席的代表都一样重要。我们从中获得专家的指导及有机会向他们学习，也可以从中求进步。槟城渔业在2016年的产量为13亿令吉或是3亿美金，基本上槟城拥有全马最大的海上养鱼业。这些养鱼场位于高渊港口及木蔻山岸外，靠近槟城第二大桥。我们相信这大会将为养鱼业带来更多的醒觉及创新，也让渔业界在世界水准及作业方面大开眼界。
槟州在主持商业活动方面很有潜能。槟城拥有世界第一家太阳能发电的国际会展中心– 实达SPICE 会展中心。2019年，我们每晚将拥有2万间有五星级的酒店、商业酒店，精品酒店、服务型公寓客房。
PCEB正卖力的推展槟城为商业活动及项目为理想地点。我希望槟城日后会主持更多的国际会议。
谢谢。