BEING home to many Unesco World Heritage Sites, Romania is showing interest to work with Penang to learn more about its accolades from United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).
The Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve (PHBR) was officially listed by the Unesco under its Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, and George Town was accorded the Unesco World Heritage Site status in 2008.
The ambassador of Romania to Malaysia Nineta Bărbulescu said she looked forward to learning the stories of Penang – its Unesco sites, traditions, and people.
“This is my first visit to Penang, and it is interesting to note that Penang has a hill called Bukit Romania. It will be exciting to learn how the hill got its name,” she said during a courtesy call on Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at his office in Komtar today.
Also present was her spouse Dan Bărbulescu and Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin.
Nineta expressed hope for a stronger bilateral cooperation between Romania and Penang.
“Opportunities such as a sister port or sister city relationship can be explored between Penang and Romania,” she said.
Chow said the world is facing a challenging period due Covid-19.
“We have to work harder and rise above these challenges,” he said.
Chow also spoke about the impact of Covid-19 on Penang’s tourism sector.
Yeoh said that fostering close friendships between Penang and other foreign countries could benefit both parties.
“Both parties could benefit not only in terms of tourism, but also in trade, economy, education and other sectors,” he said.
The delegates also discussed matters pertaining to renewable energy, education, tourism, and trade.
Students who are interested to study in Romania with a scholarship can visit https://scholarships.studyinromania.gov.ro/
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi