THE ambassador of Romania to Malaysia Nineta Barbulescu finds Penang full of potential and is keen on forging closer ties.
Barbulescu said she would like to pitch Penang to Romania and vice-versa as both have the Unesco city status that would further boost their tourism.
“Just like Penang, Romania has historical as well as natural sites. As such, tourism can be a good way of knowing each other better.
“During my conversation (with the state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin) earlier, I was convinced that Penang has a lot of potential.
“Therefore, I have made my first official visit here to explore more of it,” Barbulescu said during a press conference held yesterday at the TOP Komtar.
Apart from that, Barbulescu also conveyed her hopes of initiating sister cities between Penang and Romania.
“I have also shared my idea with the Penang Island City Council mayor, Datuk Yew Tung Seang, of forming a ‘brotherhood or sisterhood’ between these two cities.
“We need a certain natural chemistry for this, perhaps a port city (in Romania) which shares the same values and traditions as George Town,” she said.
Barbulescu also shared that some universities in Romania offer scholarships for countries outside Europe which can be applied online via https://studyinromania.gov.ro/
“Not only scholarships, but we can also conduct student and tutor exchange programmes,” she added.
Barbulescu said Penang could cater to visitors of all kinds, let it be backpackers or entrepreneurs. On top of that, she expressed her appreciation of the hospitality shown by its people.
“Penang is really promising and as a community you are doing a great job.
“Visitors will definitely return home with good memories. And I hope to come back here with my sons,” she said.
She also added that by strengthening the diplomatic ties between Penang and Romania, the bilateral relationship between ASEAN and European Union could be fostered.
Among other areas that Barbulescu would like to share expertise with Penang are in ship making and internet connectivity.
Interestingly, Barbulescu also mentioned Bukit Romania which is located in Penang island during her visit.
“I would like to organise a competition for the locals to find out why the hill was named after Romania and its history,” she said.
Meanwhile, Yeoh said the East European and European market in general, would be a great market for Penang to tap into as far as trade, renewable energy and sister cities are concerned.
“I believe Penang, which has rich resources in nature, history, arts, culture, gastronomy, will be a partner of choice.
“We are also dubbed as the one of the forerunners in the Southeast Asia having strategic location along the Straits of Malacca and air gateway to neighbouring countries,” Yeoh said.
According to Yeoh, last year on Dec 13, his team (Petace) had made a courtesy call on Barbulescu at the Romanian embassy in Kuala Lumpur and was delighted with her reciprocal visit.
Barbulescu was accompanied by her husband Dan Barbulescu during the press conference.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Alissala Thian