Kazakhstan and Malaysia are
entering a new stage of cooperation based on the impetus from an official visit
of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to the country. President Tokayev
discussed this during a meeting at the Akorda Presidential Palace. Malaysia is
one of Kazakhstan’s important and reliable partners in Southeast Asia, the Head
of State noted. Over the 30 years of diplomatic relations, a solid foundation
for mutually beneficial cooperation has been established, gaining further
significance considering modern geopolitical and economic realities. The parties
reviewed avenues for expanding cooperation in all areas.
“I think that the future of our
cooperation is very bright. And I support your intention to get engaged in
business forum. We will be very much active in promoting B2B contacts, which
are of a crucial importance for our relations. We look forward to having more
successful projects with the participation of Malaysian companies. As far as
our government is concerned, we are ready to provide some preferences,” said
President Tokayev.
On his part, Anwar Ibrahim noted
that Malaysia attaches special importance to strengthening trade and economic
cooperation with Kazakhstan. The two countries have great potential in this
direction, which they have already begun to implement. In 2023, Kazakhstan
became Malaysia’s largest trading partner in the Central Asian region. The
mutual trade turnover increased by 64 percent in a year. Kazakhstan exports
crude oil, ferrous metal products, geodetic instruments, and transformers to
Malaysia. Meanwhile, Malaysia supplies palm oil, household appliances, and
telephones to Kazakhstan.
“We have come with some specific
proposals, and it can be bilateral meetings with the ministers on various
issues, on imports or exports. We have now been accepted as a hub for computer
chips in the region with huge investments from the United States, Europe,
particularly Germany and China. I think we can share that and at the same time
learn from your experience in this transformation which have been done
remarkably well,” said Ibrahim.
In the course of the meeting, opportunities for
partnership in energy, transit and logistics, cultural and humanitarian spheres
were discussed. The parties also expressed interest in strengthening
cooperation in international organizations, including the UN, OIC, and CICA.
Editor: Aizhan
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