Malaysia, the host of the Commonwealth Tourism Ministers' Meeting, will propose the setting up of a Commonwealth Tourism Centre (CTC) in Kuala Lumpur during the meeting from 18 - 21 March 2004 at the Palace of the Golden Horses.

Minister of Culture, Arts and Tourism Dato' Paduka Abdul Kadir bin Hj Sheikh Fadzir said the idea for the centre has been discussed with the Commonwealth Secretariat and its SecretaryGeneral Ron Mc Kinnon.

"If our proposal is accepted, Kuala Lumpur will become the centre of attraction among Commonwealth member countries," he said at a press conference on Thursday. The financing of the CTC will be borne by Malaysia and through contributions from the private sector. However, member countries are welcomed to make voluntary contributions to the centre.

Abdul Kadir said Malaysia is expecting at least 40 of the 52 member countries to participate. To be held alongside the meeting are the Commonwealth Business Forum and the Commonwealth Travel Mart. Abdul Kadir said tourist arrivals from Commonwealth countries have not been encouraging. "We have been wooing tourists from

Asia and the Middle East to our country. It's time we get those from the Commonwealth member countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, India and South Africa to come as well," he added.