Malaysia's Queen Launches 1Malaysia International Shoe Festival

KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 (Bernama) -- The Queen of Malaysia Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah on Thursday launched the opening ceremony of 1Malaysia International Shoe Festival (1MISF) at the Putra World Trade Centre here. Also present were Malaysian Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen, Tourism Ambassador and internationally-renowned shoe maker Dr Jimmy Choo and Malaysian Footwear Manufacturers Association (MFMA) president Tony Ting. In her welcoming speech, Dr Ng said the ministry wanted to make Malaysia the 'Shoe Capital of Asia', apart from being a platform for industry players to promote their respective brands to the world. "Not many understand the importance of the shoe industry to the national tourism sector as there are almost 1,000 companies producing and designing shoes in Malaysia. "We want to make Malaysia the 'Shoe Capital of Asia', and we are seeking ideas to make shoes as one of the 'must-buy' products for tourists," she said. Dr Ng said 1MISF, held over the past two years, had made it to the Malaysian Tourism Calendar to promote it as a world-class shoe festival. 1MISF targets 60,000 local and foreign visitors to the festival which is jointly organised by the ministry and MFMA, from March 29 - April 1. Shoes with creative and unique designs were also shown at the ceremony, including those used in Malay, Chinese, Indian and Baba Nyonya weddings. Later, the Queen was presented with a special pair of shoes made by Choo. -- BERNAMA