BANGKOK: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today launched the
“first-of-its-kind” Malaysia Fest 2019 here, which features the very best of
Malaysia’s rich multi-ethnic culture, traditions, products, food and tourist
destinations.
The four-day
event, which began Thursday at the Central World shopping complex, boasts more
than 170 booths managed by companies and entrepreneurs from Malaysia, with each
displaying their own unique items and services.
The cream of
the crop of Malaysia’s rich culture, performances, food, travel, fashion,
beauty, higher learning education opportunities, healthcare and homemade
products are displayed to the Thai public as well as foreign visitors.
Held in
conjunction with the 34th Asean Summit in Bangkok, visitors are spoilt for
choice as a large array of products including frozen food, coffee, cereals,
biscuits, confectionery, beauty products and handicrafts are being exhibited.
Agriculture
and Agro-based Industry Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohd Sallehhuddin
Hassan said the “Malaysia Street Food Lover” section comprises 24 operators
offering 68 types of popular menus from various parts of the country, including
Sabah and Sarawak.
“This is an
effort by the ministry to promote the country through food. Many often describe
Thailand as a food haven and we are trying to see what the response is like
when we come here to promote our delicacies.
“We all know
the Thai street food festival has been a hit in Malaysia, with the festival
held at 16 locations throughout the country last year. So we also now have the
potential to enter the market in Thailand and this is an attempt by us to
capture local interest,” he said, adding that the operators were strictly
vetted by agencies under the ministry, including the Federal Agriculture Marketing
Authority (Fama) and the Kemubu Agriculture Development Authority (Kada).
Sallehhuddin
described the street food festival as an effort to help promote Malaysia’s
all-time favourite delicacies to the outside world.
Dr Mahathir
spent some time visiting the booths and mingling with the operators at the
festival.
Also present
were Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, International Trade and
Industry Minister Datuk Ignatius Darrel Leiking and Malaysia-Thai Chamber of
Commerce (MTCC) chairman Dr Hwee Khim Boo.
Besides
displaying products and services, the other highlights of the event are
Malaysian street food and live cooking with ready-to-eat meals.
The event also
serves as a one-stop festival allowing the business community in Thailand to
learn more about Malaysian products and tap opportunities to distribute the
products here by expanding their network.
Visitors also
have an opportunity to win return air tickets to Malaysia, free hotel stays and
other prizes by participating in various activities, including lucky draws,
games and competitions.
Malaysia Fest
2019 is organised by MTCC and Conceptual Events Worldwide Co Ltd.
It is endorsed
by the Malaysian embassy in Bangkok, and supported by the International Trade
and Industry Ministry, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation
(Matrade), the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry and the Malaysian
Tourism Promotion Board.
-nst online.
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