Kuala Lumpur awaits influx of Asean delegates
Clean streets: Alam Flora personnel carrying out cleaning works in Kuala Lumpur ahead of the 46th Asean Summit and Related Summits. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Delegates to the 46th Asean Summit may have little time to venture out from their meeting rooms at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in the next few days.
However, Wisma Putra will be bringing a taste of Malaysia to the venue. One of the halls at KLCC will showcase various local products, government services and cultural related activities.
According to the Foreign Ministry, 25 exhibitors will take part and 36 booths will be set up at the hall.
It is open to the public from May 23 to 25 and for Asean delegates from May 26 to 27.
Visitors can witness demonstrations of local craftmaking, including gold-thread embroidery, weaving and batik canting, as well as interact with digital displays and video presentations.
Other activities include games, lucky draws, souvenir giveaways, sampling of local food and beverages, and drone simulations.
Meanwhile, delegates and their entourages can look forward to experiencing Malaysian hospitality.
Malaysian Association of Hotels president Datin Christina Toh said more than 80% of hotels in Kuala Lumpur city centre have been booked during the period.
'Malaysian hoteliers are no strangers to hosting high-profile groups and are well prepared to accommodate any impending protocols.
'It will be our pride to showcase what Malaysian hospitality is all about,' she said.
Malaysia Budget & Business Hotel Association national president Sri Ganesh Michiel said the group is ready to accommodate any surge in bookings from those travelling for the summit and for tourism purposes.
Sri Ganesh, who is also the Malaysian Tourism Federation secretary-general, urged visitors to only utilise licensed service operators.
'This is to ensure their safety and security. Opt for licensed accommodation providers like hotels as this guarantees professional service,' he said.
Preparations at the summit venue are in full swing with a heavy police presence and security posts already up and running.
Two other high-level meetings – the 2nd Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the Asean-GCC-China Economic Summit – are also taking place.
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