SIBU: The state government is still trying to increase the flight connectivity to the state to spur tourism and economic activities.
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah revealed this at the official opening of Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) 2017 held at BCF Arch, Sibu Town Square here on Thursday night.
“I’m working on improving the Sibu-Kota Kinabalu flights. Apart from that, I’m still trying to get more flights to come to Sarawak.
“And hopefully, I believe by the end of this year, there will be many good news of flight connectivity from China and from other parts of the region.”
On the BCF, Karim commended the efforts of the organising committee.
BCF, he said, could really bring a lot of good things such as business opportunities in Sibu as well as good interactions among various communities staying in Sibu and Sarawak as a whole.
“I am proud to be part of the event that promotes cultural integration and harmony among communities and carries the theme “Beauty in Ethnic Diversity”.
“The theme itself speaks of showcasing the abundance of ethnic culture and traditions apart from promoting the charisma of Borneo to the world.
“BCF strives to showcase the rich, racial and ethnic culture within this region, specifically, the Central Region of Sarawak, to promote Sibu as the gateway to Sarawak’s Central Region and also to realise the vision of Sibu in becoming a City of Culture and Festivals,” he said.
Karim added that BCF was now widely known across the region and had become Sibu’s trademark.
“It has been acknowledged as one of Sarawak Tourism’s major events every year.
“The richness of the content of BCF has attracted more than 500,000 people in 2016. I hope the number of visitors this year will increase, especially in conjunction with Visit Sibu Year 2017,” said Karim.
Besides promoting bonding and enhancing understanding between the people of various races, he said BCF also provided opportunities to the entrepreneurs to showcase whatever products that they had.
At the same event, Karim also launched a booklet on Sibu’s local delicacies enttiled “A Taste of Sibu”.
Dudong State Assemblyman and Chairman of SMC, Datuk Tiong Thai King, organising chairlady and Deputy Chairlady of SMC, Rogayah Jamain, and Sibu Resident, Hii Chang Kee were among those present.
