KOTA KINABALU: More than 100,000 visitors attended BigSabah Sale 2026, which featured over 800 exhibitors across more than 600 booths during its three-day run.
Datuk Dr Rosmawati Lasuki, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) and organising chairperson of the sale, shared the figures at the event’s closing ceremony.
She said the sale had turned SICC, usually a hub for meetings, conventions and business events, into a marketplace for local, national and international businesses to showcase products, meet customers and explore commercial opportunities.
Rosmawati welcomed guest of honour Datuk Josie Lai, saying her attendance reflected the government’s commitment to public-private collaboration, entrepreneurship and opportunities for Sabah’s economic and tourism development.
She said successful transactions and business engagements had taken place throughout the event, with international exhibitors from Thailand, the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam adding to its reach.
This year’s programme included the Agro Forum and Kebun Dapur Expo, Trade Connect, Jualan Rahmah, the Big Bad Wolf International Book Fair, an AI Business Scale-Up Bootcamp, CULT – Car Culture Festival 2026, fashion shows and professional development workshops. Free eye check-ups and RM50 spectacle offers were also available.
Rosmawati said the activities made the sale more than a shopping and exhibition event, providing a platform for learning, networking and knowledge exchange.
She thanked sponsors, government agencies, industry associations, media partners, participating organisations, exhibitors and visitors, as well as the organising committee, event crew and service providers.
Looking ahead to BigSabah Sale 2027, Rosmawati said organisers hoped to attract more businesses, visitors and international exhibitors, and to strengthen cross-border trade and partnerships. She described the event as a platform that could support Sabah’s tourism promotion and economic development ahead of Visit Sabah 2027.
“The true success of BigSabah Sale lies not only in the number of exhibitors and visitors, but also in the lasting relationships, business opportunities and economic benefits generated beyond this event,” she said.
Also present during the event was Datuk Josie Lai who was guest of honour.-BNN
