PETALING JAYA: Economists have backed Sarawak’s bid to host the thirty fourth SEA Games, saying the biennial sporting occasion has the potential to convey financial advantages to the state.
Geoffrey Williams mentioned it represents a declaration of Sarawak’s ambition to reinforce its fame as a growing area.
“It ties in with main native initiatives like Sarawak Airlines, their state-owned financial institution, and Sarawak’s sovereign wealth future fund,” he informed eNM.
Williams mentioned Sarawak is trying to mission itself as an interesting funding vacation spot by exhibiting it’s able to funding a world sporting occasion.
Hosting the SEA Games has the potential to draw important international direct funding into the state, he added.
Williams additionally mentioned hosting the SEA Games can be extra inexpensive than main worldwide sporting occasions such because the Commonwealth Games, and will yield a optimistic return.
“The latest difficulties find a number for the Commonwealth Games was as a result of the price for Victoria, Australia was estimated at A$7 billion (RM21 billion), which is just too excessive.
“The SEA Games are less expensive and inexpensive, and usually tend to generate a internet optimistic return,” he mentioned.
It was beforehand reported that the price range for the 2017 SEA Games was roughly RM700 million.
Last Saturday, Sarawak expressed to the federal authorities its curiosity in hosting the thirty fourth SEA Games in 2027, both by itself or as a co-host.
The state’s tourism, artistic business and performing arts minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah mentioned hosting the video games was effectively inside Sarawak’s capabilities, citing the provision of appropriate amenities to accommodate the large-scale occasion.
Economist Ahamed Kameel Mydin Meera from Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah additionally helps the endeavour, saying it’s able to bringing lasting advantages to Sarawak.
However, he warned that the financial success of the video games is contingent on the state’s capability to maintain the expense.
He mentioned with correct organisation, the video games might convey monetary and different advantages to Sarawak.
“Improved sports activities amenities and infrastructure will even increase future tourism and benefit locals lengthy after the video games have ended,” he mentioned.
