THE completion of the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) in October is expected to turn the state into a world-class meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) destination.

Chief Minister Musa Aman said construction work was progressing well.

He said SICC would resolve the issue of a lack of convention centres in the state, as well as provide more opportunities for Sabah businesses to venture into MICE.

“We are now facing a shortage of convention centres in the state. However, there is good progress in the construction of SICC.

“I am happy. Our hope is for it to be completed on time,” he said during a walkabout at the site in Kota Kinabalu today.

Present were Deputy Chief Ministers Yahya Hussin and Joseph Pairin Kitingan, and state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Masidi Manjun.

SICC will be run by the state-owned Sabah Foundation, and will have a 20,400 sq m exhibition centre, a hall, 22 meeting rooms and an open plaza.

A two-tier performance hall, able to accommodate 1,200 people, is in the works.

It will include a built-in stage with advanced audio-visual equipment and stage lighting, rehearsal rooms and a massive storage facility. – January 18, 2018.