THE International Institute of Fisheries Economics and Trade (IIFET) conference that will be held in Penang in 2024 will further boost tourism in the state.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin and Batu Kawan assemblyman Goh Choon Aik shared the view that Penang would be in the spotlight when 350 of the world’s scholars and experts in every fishing region around the globe come to attend the seminar.
WorldFish, in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries and local universities such as Universiti Sains Malaysia and Universiti Putra Malaysia, successfully won the bid to host the conference in Penang in July 2024. It is headquartered in Penang.
Goh said he was glad to learn that Penang has been chosen as the venue for IIFET 2024 conference.
“You know, Bukit Tambun is one of the most productive fishing areas. From Perairan Pulau Aman to Sungai Udang, we have one of the biggest fish farming areas in the country. There are about 120 farms.
“The conference will enhance the fishing industry here and help those involved to increase their production not only for domestic but also international markets.
“As it is, they now export mostly to Hong Kong and Singapore. I believe they will export to more countries soon.
“On top of this, the conference will significantly boost aqua tourism in the state. Visitors can see for themselves the livelihoods of our local fishermen,” Goh told Buletin Mutiara when contacted.
Yeoh said the fact that the IIFET conference would return to Asia for the third time after a lapse of 16 years consolidated Penang’s influence on the international stage.
The first two conferences held in Asia were in Taipei, Taiwan in 1994 and Nha Trang, Vietnam in 2008.
Yeoh said moving in tandem with the continuous improvement of the Malaysian tourism industry, the Penang tourism industry and sustainable development infrastructure have gradually attracted attention.
“The seminar is a good opportunity to attract investments. It will also usher in a large influx of tourists into Penang, creating a ripple effect,” Yeoh, who is also the Paya Terubong assemblyman, said.
“Therefore, the surrounding industries such as hoteliers and service providers need to adjust their strategies to lay out business opportunities in advance and attract more tourists.
“Penang is a suitable location for large-scale conventions and exhibitions, and has the potential to lead and promote the recovery of the state’s economic development through MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) tourism and other business opportunities.
“Hence, upcoming business events such as the IIFET conference, the World Conference on Innovation and Technology (WCIT) and the IAA World Congress in Penang will have a positive impact on the tourism industry.
“In line with the Penang2030 vision and the Penang Tourism Master Plan, the state government is committed to establishing cooperative relationships with other states and related industries to build diversified tourism products to meet different tourist requirements.
“In addition, the state government will continue to promote cultural and leisure tourism after the conference, and encourage attendees to “experience Penang”, so that scenic spots, hotels, and catering industries can benefit in an all-round way, providing continuous growth momentum for the tourism industry.”
The policy forum for the conference in Penang will focus on the emerging concept of nutrition-sensitive fisheries and aquaculture. It will be headlined by the originator of the concept, WorldFish’s Global Lead for Nutrition and Public Health Dr Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted, who is also the 2021 World Food Prize Laureate.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow told a press conference yesterday that while the manufacturing and services sectors are the main contributors to the state’s GDP, it is also very important to strengthen the state’s agriculture sector, notably the fisheries sector.
Besides congratulating WorldFish, the Department of Fisheries, USM and UPM for their collaboration, Chow also commended Penang Convention & Exhibition Centre (PCEB) for its efforts in continuously identifying and supporting high-value conferences into the state.
PCEB chief executive officer Ashwin Gunasekeran said the three-day conference is expected to bring in 350 delegates and an economic impact of RM2.1 million.
“Penang successfully bid and hosted the World Seafood Congress in 2019 which drew 350 delegates, speakers and exhibitors from the international seafood industry and research fraternity.
“Penang’s capacity to host a high-value and a high-impact congress eventually paved the way for us to host the International Institute of Fisheries Economics and Trade (IIFET) conference in 2024.
“The wealth of knowledge and expertise that the congress will bring to Penang will not only benefit and enrich the local aquaculture industry but the entire Asian region,” Ashwin commented.
Also present at the press conference were WorldFish interim director general Dr Essam Yassin Mohammad and Sustainable Aquatic Food Systems of WorldFish acting director Dr Edward Hugh Allison.
Dr Essam said WorldFish is an international, non-profit research and innovation organisation that seeks to reduce hunger, malnutrition, and poverty across Africa, Asia and the Pacific.
“Winning this bid (to host the IIFET 2024 conference) exemplifies WorldFish’s ability to bring people together and promote the exchange of ideas, particularly concerning aquatic food systems, on a global stage,” Dr Essam said during yesterday’s press conference.
He also revealed that earlier in the week, WorldFish had signed Memorandums of Understanding with USM and UPM, two of Malaysia’s top research universities, for 10 years.
That, he said, underscored WorldFish’s commitment to working with Malaysia’s institutions to secure a food-secure future for all by transforming aquatic food systems to be more resilient and sustainable through science and innovation.
Story by K.H. Ong