Sarawak, Samarkand explore new horizons in tourism, heritage collaboration

Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (6^th from right) met with His Excellency Adiz M. Boboev (4^th from left) to strengthen ties between Sarawak and the Samarkand Region of Uzbekistan.

KUCHING, 22 September 2025: Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah met with the Governor of the Samarkand Region, His Excellency Adiz M. Boboev today to discuss strengthening ties in tourism, heritage and cultural exchange between Sarawak and Samarkand Region of Uzbekistan.

The meeting highlighted Samarkand’s recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage city and its role as a historic crossroads of cultures along the Silk Road. Karim shared Sarawak’s rich cultural diversity and heritage assets from its indigenous traditions to its vibrant creative industries. 

With Sarawak’s own airline set to be launched soon the Minister noted that enhanced air connectivity could open up exciting opportunities for collaboration between the two destinations. The discussion explored potential partnerships in tourism promotion, heritage conservation and joint cultural programmes that would benefit both regions.

“The heritage of Samarkand as a UNESCO city resonates strongly with Sarawak’s own vision to position our living traditions and creative industries as global assets. With new connectivity on the horizon, we see real potential for tourism exchange and greater people-to-people connection between our regions,” said Karim.

Both sides expressed confidence that closer cooperation would boost tourism flows, cultural understanding and economic growth which would pave the way for future joint initiatives between Sarawak and the Samarkand Region.