Tourism Ministry Would Consider Guangzhou District As An Import Centre For Malaysia Durian

GUANGZHOU, June 10 (Bernama) -- The Tourism Ministry is considering making Guangzhou district a centre for exporting Malaysia durian to China, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen. "Guangzhou is a huge fruit market which has great potential for fruit export and Malaysia is yet to explore this market," she said at a dinner hosted by Guangdong Province Tourism Administration chairman Yang Rongsen here on Thursday. She said the short distance between Guangzhou and Malaysia was ideal for Malaysian durian to be exported to China to ensure that the fruit maintained its freshness. "The ministry will work with the Agriculture and Agro-based Ministry to discuss exporting durian to Guangzhou," she said.

Dr Ng, who is on an four-day working trip to China, is visiting Guangzhou and Zhengzhou. She will hold dialogues with the local tourism operators and attend the International Mayor's Forum on Tourism (IMFT) in Henan on Friday. Dr Ng said that with the increasing tourist arrivals from Guangzhou to Malaysia, Malaysia Airline had doubled its daily flight from Guangzhou to Kuala Lumpur from one flight per day. The Southern Airline in China had also opened up a new route from Guangzhou to Penang with a daily flight, she added. Dr Ng said she was informed by the Guangzhou tourism operators that the new route had received great response the locals. Meanwhile, Yang, in his speech, said Malaysia had emerged as a popular destination for tourists from Guangzhou and the district was looking at working with Malaysia in promoting the tourism industry for both sides. "Exploring the fruit market here by importing delicious fruits such as durian is a great idea in promoting the tourism industry as durian is the favourite fruit of many locals here," he said.