By Reicelene Joy N. Ignacio
THE Philippine government is in talks with a Malaysian mall operator to establish a permanent cultural center showcasing Filipino products at a shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur.
“The idea is it will be a Filipino center where there will be a food court or Filipino food fiesta. It will be done in Low Yat Mall, one of the biggest malls in Kuala Lumpur,” Special Envoy of the Philippines to Malaysia Wencelito T. Andanar told BusinessWorld at the sidelines of the Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industries Philippines, Inc. (MCCI) press conference in Makati City on Dec. 15.
Mr. Andanar said Philippine products will also be sold at the proposed cultural center, similar to the Filipino market in Kota Kinabalu.
“We are going to be selling everything Filipino. It is an exhibition. They are planning more or less a permanent feature, but initially, perhaps, for a certain period like two weeks or one month but over the years, I think it would become a permanent feature in Kuala Lumpur just like in Kota Kinabalu,” he said.
Edward Ling, president of the MCCI, said the establishment of a Philippine cultural expo would help strengthen ties between the Philippines and Malaysia.
“The Malaysian Embassy is definitely in favor of this concept. It can advance more growth of the bilateral relationship, and friendship of the countries for more tourism,” Mr. Ling told BusinessWorld.
Mr. Ling said the expo would not only feature Filipino food but entertainment as well, and booths showcasing Philippine tourist destinations.
“We will have all the available things to be of service to all Filipinos in Malaysia. Food, maybe entertainment, traveling… a section would be given for this purpose,” he said.
The MCCI official said it may be too early to have a specific date for the project’s completion, but hoping it will be launched by 2020.
“We are looking at, if possible, if we can launch it, maybe soft launching in the next year… but 2020 will be the grand launch,” Mr. Ling said.
“We have the space. The space is available, Low Yat, but it is still very early stage to say when it is going to take place. The community is very huge and the location is very ideal,” he added.
