20-5-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has hailed his pioneering tour of Central Asia as a resounding success, proclaiming it has unlocked at least RM2.1 billion in potential new investments and trade opportunities to propel Malaysia’s economic growth.
In a Facebook post on Monday following his return, Anwar declared he was “satisfied with the results of this visit which has opened a new chapter in relations between Malaysia and countries in Central Asia.”
The premier’s eight-day sojourn took him to the Kyrgyz Republic on May 14 before heading to Kazakhstan on May 16, with Uzbekistan as the final stop on his historic first visit to the once Soviet-dominated region.
“My official visit to Uzbekistan has successfully raised bilateral relations, investment, trade and Malaysia-Uzbekistan cooperation to a higher level, with export potential of at least RM710 million,” Anwar detailed.
The trip allowed Malaysia to deepen ties with the strategically-located Central Asian nations of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan which, along with Kazakhstan, were formerly part of the USSR until its 1991 dissolution.
While landlocked Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are relatively smaller economies, Kazakhstan is the world’s ninth-largest country by landmass and a key energy exporter, bordered by Russia to the north and China to the east.
Reflecting on his Uzbekistan sojourn just before departing, Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, recounted being hosted for lunch by First Deputy Prime Minister Achilbay Jumaniyazovich Ramatov and other leaders near the historic Kalon minaret complex in Bukhara.
In a warm gesture, the Uzbek hosts presented Anwar with the traditional Chapan Bukhara robe reserved for the highest leader of the famed Silk Road city.
“Achilbay and the adviser to Uzbekistan president Muzaffar Komilov then accompanied me and the Malaysian delegation to Bukhara International Airport,” Anwar shared.
“I expressed my highest appreciation for the extraordinary hospitality during our stay in Uzbekistan since last Friday. It is heartbreaking to step away from Uzbekistan after establishing a close relationship although it was only for a short period.”
The 76-year-old premier paid tribute to the “sincerity” and “friendship” extended by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev throughout their discussions.
Anwar’s overarching mission was to carve out new frontiers for Malaysian investment and trade in the resource-rich, geostrategically vital Central Asia region which has begun pivoting from its Soviet-era economic model.
While short on specific deals announced, the visit clearly made headway by Anwar’s own assessment, setting the stage for over RM2 billion in potential fresh economic cooperation.
