Malaysian MICE players call for better hardware, software in Putrajaya

Better supporting infrastructure and more activities are needed in Putrajaya before Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) can be positioned as the country's main convention centre, according to MICE industry players.

The comments came after Ali Hamsa, chief secretary to the government, was quoted in a local news report as saying that PICC would be helmed by Putrajaya Corporation by June, which had been tasked to develop a business plan to make the venue on par with other global convention centres.

Managed by the Prime Minister’s Department currently. PICC is the main convention centre in Putrajaya. It began operations in September 2003, with its first conference being the 10^th Organisation of Islamic Conference in October that same year. Today, most events held at the convention centre are government related.

MICE players in Malaysia told TTGmice e-Weekly that a lot more improvements must be made to the surroundings of PICC before the venue can compete on a global playing field.

Luxury Tours Malaysia manager, Ganneesh Ramaa, said supporting infrastructure such as hotels and public transportation were currently lacking.

Ganneesh opined the number of hotel rooms in the vicinity, about 1,200, were insufficient to support trade shows communities should events be held at PICC.

He said hotels adjoining the convention centre were also needed to provide convenient access for delegates. “Putrajaya also needs a variety of fine dining restaurants, shopping and entertainment outlets for delegates to unwind and to entertain business clients,” added Ganneesh.

Saini Vermeulen, Panorama Tours Malaysia senior inbound manager, also called for better public transportation within Putrajaya and between Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

Ri-yaz Hotels and Resorts group CEO, Shaheen Shah, pointed out that a successful convention centre must be managed professionally and at an international standard, and therefore PICC needed an experienced general manager and good marketing and catering teams.

-TTG Asia.