Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 19 February2019, Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Malaysia Ravshan Usmanov met with leading experts of the Malaysian tourism industry, who will take part in the International Forum on Pilgrim Tourism in Bukhara on 21-23 February.

The forum will be visited by Mufti of the State of Perlis (Malaysia) Mohd Asri Bin Zaynul Abidin, as well as the leadership of the Islamic Tourist Center, the Institute of Halal Research and Management, the Malaysian Association of Travel Companies and Tour Operators and the largest travel agency for sending pilgrims "TH Travel".

During the meeting, the participants of the event were informed of the main goals and expectations of the upcoming tourist forum. It was especially emphasized that the forum is aimed at expanding international cooperation in the development of Ziyorat tourism and attracting direct investment in this area, recognizing Uzbekistan as one of the largest centers of pilgrim tourism in the world and introducing world standards Halal.

In turn, the Malaysian side noted the magnitude of the transformations being carried out in Uzbekistan in the field of tourism, reflected in the abolition of the visa regime for more than 60 countries of the world, including Malaysia, unprecedented privileges and preferences for investors in the hotel business, infrastructure opportunities at the intersection of border and customs services, including the "green corridor".

During the exchange of views, the Malaysian side shared its best practices in attracting foreign tourists. In particular, the need was noted for the further broad promotion of Uzbekistan as an independent direction and in connection with the commission of Umrah and Hajj by pilgrims from Southeast Asia through the implementation of targeted large-scale advertising campaigns. Experts stressed the importance of improving the logistics component of air travel to our country and its pricing for pilgrim tourists.

The following agreements have been reached:

- organization of a presentation for the leading travel companies of Malaysia at the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Kuala Lumpur following the results of the participation of experts in an international forum;

- with the assistance of the Mufftiate of the State of Perlis, holding a “road show” to promote Uzbekistan as a place of pilgrimage for the Muslim public of Malaysia;

- participation of representatives of Uzbekistan with the national booth “Welcome to Uzbekistan” in the international tourist fair “MATTA FAIR - 2019” in Malaysia on March 15-17 and September 6-8;

- development of a joint program for the implementation of the HALAL certification system in Uzbekistan, which includes the study of the Malaysian experience in the field of certification of services, accommodation and catering, as well as the exchange of standards and the organization of internships in this area.