Sibu hopes to take advantage of its greatest asset - the Rajang River - and be named "Riveria City" by 2020.

"Many foreign visitors had told me that the mighty Rajang River, being Malaysia's longest and busiest river highway, is comparable to the Yangtze River in China and the Amazon River in Brazil," Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Robert Lau was quoted as saying today by Bernama.

Recognising the recession in the timber industry and the need to diversify the town's economy, Lau highlighted the potential the tourism industry has in contributing to Sibu's economy.

Lau, also Sibu MP. believed that the Rajang River could attract tourists to Sarawak's central region because of the flora and fauna and longhouses that line its banks.

Introduce new products

With the concept of "Riveria City", Lau predicted the town's population would increase to 400,000 in 2020 from 230,000 at present.

Besides that, he also hopes that foreigners who are considering to join the "Malaysia My Second Home" programme would consider relocating to Sibu.

He urged the authorities to introduce new products to be featured in the annual Borneo Cultural Festival to attract tourists and investors to the city.

The Sibu Municipal Council is hosting the festival for the sixth consecutive year.