An Iranian twin for Langkawi

THE Kedah Government will be working with the Iranian Government to conduct a twinning island promotion between Langkawi and Kish Island in Iran.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak said the idea was discussed with Iranian ambassador to Malaysia Mahdi Khandaghabadi during a luncheon at Wisma Darulaman here yesterday.

He said it would involve promoting both islands in tou-rism packages and also direct flights between Langkawi and Kish.

“Our tourism officers will discuss the idea with their Iranian counterparts.

“I was told by the ambassador that tourism players in Iran are interested in promoting Langkawi and Kish as twinning island,” he told newsmen when met after the luncheon here.

Kish Island is a free trade island located in the Persian Gulf. The island has an estimated population of 20,000 residents and about 5.5mil people visited the island annually.

Azizan said Langkawi had huge potential to be promoted to tourists from Iran because both places have similarity in religion and culture.

He said Iran was also inte-rested to send its students to study in Kedah and to share its expertise in agriculture with the state government.