BIMP-EAGA Conference discusses tourism

KUCHING, Nov 24 -- The tourism sector was among the topics discussed in the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Conference which is being held here.

Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Dr Radzi Jidin said, through BIMP-EAGA, the four countries would look out for opportunities to combine their tourism sectors in a package for common benefits.

‘’The tourism sector has a very large market, so we (BIMP) want to see how the existing tourism products can be combined into a package to lure outside tourists.

‘’This matter is very relevant specifically in the context of the 2020 Visit Malaysia Year,’’ he told a 23rd BIMP-EAGA press conference here today.

Radzi said numerous issues and opportunities were also discussed together through the organisation of the BIMP-EAGA to optimise the market and common benefits.

He said among them were infrastructural development, city development (smart city) and Ocean Health.

‘’As an organisation which combines BIMB countries, which form a sub-region, we study what strengths are available to ensure we can utilise our common strengths,’’ he said.

This year, the city of Kuching hosted the organisation of the 23rd BIMP-EAGA conference which took place from Thursday (Nov 21-24).

 -- BERNAMA