By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Dec 11: Unesco’s recognition of Kuching as a creative city of gastronomy will support Sarawak’s drive to achieve high-income status through the creative economy.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the Unesco Creative Cities Network (UCCN) membership would complement the State’s existing policy agenda for digitalisation and innovation in the field of gastronomy and other creative avenues.
“Fully in step with our goals as a State government, it works towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals through the medium of creativity and gastronomy. It could not be a better fit with Kuching.
“Whether in crafts, arts, filmmaking, television, music or traditional culture, our creative communities continue to show their talents and imagination. As we rebuild in the wake of this pandemic, the creative economy is the ideal springboard,” he said.
He said this when officiating at the redevelopment of Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Swimming Pool into a family water fun park and Centre of Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy Project at the site in Jalan Padungan tonight.
Last month, Kuching was announced as the first city in Malaysia to join 36 other cities around the globe to be recognised as a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy under the UCCN for its food heritage and diversity.
Abang Johari mentioned that the State government is embarking on an urban renewal policy to re-develop certain sections of cities and towns in the State that have turned into slums.
Describing Padungan as a heritage city, he said the authorities would have to upgrade facilities in the area without jeopardising its heritage values.
“Under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, we have a lot of projects under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MTAC) Sarawak.
“With the assistance of the federal government, we will transform all the basic infrastructures to attract tourists to come to Sarawak.
“In doing so, of course, we must have a stable and strong government in the State. That is a pre-requisite,” he added. — DayakDaily
