KUCHING: Malaysia will strengthen its bilateral ties with Iraq through greater collaboration in tourism, culture and heritage conservation, said Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
He said the commitment was made during his meeting with Iraqi Minister of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities, Dr Ahmed Fakak Ahmed Al-Hamd, held in conjunction with the World Tourism Conference 2025 recently.
“I had the opportunity to introduce the Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) and its development of Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality (MFTH), while also highlighting the importance of enhancing connectivity through more direct flights from Baghdad to Kuala Lumpur,” he said in his Facebook page.
Tiong said the initiatives would not only encourage greater people-to-people exchanges but also foster stronger multiracial and multireligious ties between Malaysia and Iraq.
During the meeting, Dr Ahmed Fakak also shared valuable insights on its rich civilisational heritage and Islamic tourism, where various religious traditions have coexisted in mutual respect which Tiong said resonates with Malaysia’s own multicultural identity.
“We also see great potential in knowledge sharing and expert exchanges, including the conservation of heritage buildings and sites, which stand as important symbols of our history and identity,” he added.
Expressing his appreciation for the constructive discussions, Tiong said he remained confident that Malaysia and Iraq could work together on collaborative initiatives that would bring mutual benefits and reinforce long-term partnerships.
“Together, we can identify and implement initiatives that support peace, prosperity and mutual growth for both countries,” he said.
