LONDON: The rebranding of Malaysia Night at Trafalgar Square here this year and its morphing into Malaysia Fest 2016, introducing more than just food and culture at London’s iconic square, was a great success aided by what must have been the last of the good weather this season.
Malaysia Fest 2016, part of three promotional programmes with the theme “Choose Malaysia”, was held last Saturday, with a huge crowd of tourists, Londoners and Malaysians queuing at food stalls, offering delights such as kway teow goreng, apam balik, satay, roti canai and nasi lemak when it opened at lunchtime.
“Choose Malaysia” is a collaborative and concerted effort by Malaysian ministries and government agencies, such as the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), International Trade and Industry Ministry and Tourism Malaysia, government-linked companies and private sector organisations, taking part in a four-day trade promotion in the United Kingdom.
Leading the delegation and launching Malaysia Fest 2016 yesterday was International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, who said the rebranding and new approach gave Malaysia the edge to showcase the country’s strength in the UK.
“Our presence is big here in the UK with the Battersea Power Station, our biggest investment here, hotels, services such as water management, trade and tourism. This is the seventh year that we are holding our event here. When we promote Malaysia in London, we are promoting the country to the world.”
Speaking from the Trafalgar Square stage, Mustapa urged the crowd to choose Malaysia for business and holidays.
Present were Malaysian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Eire, Datuk Ahmad Rasidi Hazizi, Matrade chairman Datuk Noraini Ahmad, Kensington member of parliament Lady Victoria Borwick, Senior Adviser to the Mayor of London Leah Krietzman and world renowned shoe designer Datuk Jimmy Choo.
Lady Victoria, who was no stranger to the event said: “With these events here, we can see how our relationship has grown.”
Referring to Britain’s decision to leave the European Union, she said, “Britain has a long relationship with Malaysia and Britain is keen to build on old alliances.”
This year, there were more than 20 Malaysian food stalls, including Dapur, Makan Café, Malaysian Deli, Tuk Din, Roti King and Puji Puji, all reporting brisk business and long queues from the start of the day. There were also stalls promoting hotels, such as Holiday Villa, Berjaya Hotel and Felda Grand Plaza.
Cultural groups from Universiti Teknologi Mara, and Malacca Department of Arts and Culture as well as a gamelan group from Nada Budaya and a silat group entertained the crowd.
Matrade reported that a record 62,000 people visited Malaysia Fest 2016, a jump from last year’s 50,000.