By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Jan 14: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) is exploring new cultural and creative collaborations with Indonesia following a courtesy call by Indonesian Consul General in Kuching, Abdullah Zulkifli.
MBKS Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said Kuching’s status as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy provides added opportunities for cooperation in culinary heritage, food innovation, and creative tourism.
“Collaboration with Indonesian cities could enhance joint promotion of local cuisines, chef exchanges, food festivals, and culinary-based tourism programmes that celebrate the rich cultural diversity of the region,” he said during the meeting at MBKS headquarters.
The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations and exploring new areas of cooperation between Kuching and cities in Indonesia.
Among the key areas discussed were potential collaborations in craft and folk arts, with an emphasis on traditional craftsmanship, cultural exchange, and strengthening artisan networks.
Discussions also touched on joint programmes in design innovation, skills development, exhibitions, and creative entrepreneurship, aimed at benefiting artisans and creative players from both sides.
Both parties agreed that such partnerships would help strengthen people-to-people ties and create economic opportunities, particularly for small and medium enterprises, artisans, and those in the creative and tourism industries.
Wee said they also shared the view that culture-based cooperation could support sustainable development through creative-driven economic growth.
He noted that the meeting reflected a shared vision to leverage creative strengths as platforms for international cooperation, cultural diplomacy, and sustainable economic growth.
Also present was Deputy Mayor Dato Zaiedi Suhaili. — DayakDaily
