SARBEX 2010: Total Living

10/05/2010 (KUCHING) The much anticipated SARBEX 2010 Total Living Expo was held on a larger scale at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) from 7th - 9th May. The three-day event attracted more than 18, 000 visitors. A total of 104 exhibitors comprising developers, household/electrical appliances, land investments, government agencies, financial institutions, real estate agents, home improvements, hardware/paints, etc participated in the 3-day event. Housing and property developers from Sarawak, Sabah and Peninsula Malaysia reported properties sales worth RM45 million. 

Assistant Minister of Housing and Urban Development YB Abdul Wahab Aziz, representing the Chief Minister, officiated at the opening ceremony. 

In his speech, the Minister said that within the next five years, about 19,545 low cost (affordable) housing units will be developed throughout the State in line with the New Economic Model (NEM)’s principles to provide better living for the poor. The Housing and Urban Development Ministry together with the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) had proposed for these additional housing units to be considered by the Federal Government in the coming 10MP.

YB Abdul Wahab Aziz highlighted that as the New Economic Model would be executed via the Economic Transformation Programme, the main goal was to ensure that the lower and medium income group would be able to afford homes and properties. The housing sector, being the pulse of the country’s economic well being, had played a major role in the State development over the years. 

SHEDA President Tuan Haji Zaidi Ahmad, in his speech, said due to the slow recovery of the global economy, it was important the buying public kept themselves abreast on the latest situation in the property market and to take advantage of special offers available at the EXPO.

‘Going Green’ was one of the main themes for ‘SARBEX 2010: Total Living. The high expectations of the new generation for greener technology and environmentally-friendly homes among youths and working adults on environmental issues, embracing the green building technology concept was deemed the only way up for housing today. Green industries and technologies are also one of the new economic growth areas under the New Economic Model.

The expo was successfully organized with support from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Construction Industry Development Board, and Borneo Convention Centre Kuching as the venue provider and Mantra Communication Sdn Bhd, the event manager.