KUALA LUMPUR, June 22. /Dunyo IA/.    In Kuala Lumpur, on the initiative of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Malaysia, jointly with the Tourism Committee and the Umrah Pilgrimage Association, “HUITM Umra Plus” International Tourism Exhibition has been organized, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

Within the framework of the event, specialized presentations dedicated to the pilgrimage and tourism potential of Uzbekistan, alongside G2B and B2B meetings, were conducted. Furthermore, a photo exhibition showcasing the tourism capabilities of the country was organized.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs of Malaysia, Marhamah Rosli; the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Dato' Shaharuddin bin Abu Sohot; the Chairman of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATA), Mohd Khalid Haroun; representatives from the MATTA and BUMITRA associations, as well as tourism companies, the diplomatic corps and the media.

Ambassador of Uzbekistan, Karomiddin Gadoev, presented comprehensive information on the large-scale reforms implemented within Uzbekistan’s pilgrimage tourism sector, highlighting the tailored facilities and conditions established for Malaysian pilgrims. Particular emphasis was placed on the Imam al-Bukhari complex in Samarkand and the Center for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent.

Ambassador underscored the active visa-free regime for Malaysian citizens, as well as the operation of direct flights connecting Tashkent, Kuala Lumpur, and Langkawi Island by “Uzbekistan Airways”, “Batik Air Malaysia” and “AirAsia”, running up to eight times per week.

Chairman of the Umrah Pilgrimage Association of Uzbekistan, Sherzod Sami, provided an update on the ongoing work to develop and advance the “Umrah Plus” programs, calling upon Malaysian partners to actively promote them.

Chairman of MATA, Mohd Khalid Haroun, noted the surging interest in Uzbekistan and the steadily increasing influx of tourists, particularly highlighting the Center for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent and the Imam al-Bukhari complex.”

Uzbek tourism companies presented specialized travel packages for Samarkand, Bukhara, and Tashkent, encompassing “Umrah Plus” routes, as well as pilgrimage, cultural, and gastronomic tourism. Following the events, agreements were reached to develop direct cooperation between the tour operators of the two countries.

Furthermore, samples of national crafts and applied arts were showcased at the exhibition.

“HUITM Umra Plus” International Tourism Exhibition, which debuted for the first time in Malaysia, will continue its operations from June to September in Jakarta, Tashkent, Morocco, Istanbul and Almaty.