‘Bilateral friendships path for Kuching to gain global recognition’

0

Abdul Karim (centre) presents a memento to Park during the ceremony on Friday, witnessed by Chan (second left) and other officials.

KUCHING: Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah is hoping for Kuching to become an internationally recognised city in the not-too-distant future.

According to him, one of the ways for the city to achieve that status is through bilateral friendships and relationships with foreign cities around the world.

“The Sarawak government believes this bilateral friendship relationship to be one of the important aspects in the development of the state.

“Visitors who come to Sarawak bring income to the state, which is why tourism is a very important sector for Sarawak,’ he said when launching the International Friendship Cities Night 2018 festival at Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Park here on Friday.

He also praised the efforts of MBKS in fostering ties with city councils in other countries over the past few decades.

“I am proud that MBKS has maintained good relationships with several cities around the world. Some of the relationships have spanned for about 30 years,” he added.

Three cities are participating in the International Friendship Cities Night 2018 festival this year, namely Guro City of South Korea, Wuchuan City, Kunming City in Yunnan, and Zhenjiang in Jiangsu, China.

Also present during the launching ceremony were Kuching South mayor Datuk James Chan, Wuchuan City Publicity Department director Ye Huanquan, Guro City mayor Park Chil Seong and his deputy Eom Yeon Sook.