Photo: Press Service of the President of Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has endorsed plans for cooperation with the Malaysian oil and gas corporation Petronas, particularly in projects aimed at developing green energy. Discussions on the partnership took place at the company’s headquarters—the Twin Towers skyscraper—during Mirziyoyev’s visit on February 5, according to his press service.
The meeting was part of the president’s business agenda in Kuala Lumpur and was attended by Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Petronas President Muhammad Taufik.
Officials noted that Petronas, a leading player in the oil and gas sector, could take part in Uzbekistan’s efforts to deepen raw material processing. Priorities in this area include geological exploration and the development of promising hydrocarbon deposits. The discussions also covered cooperation in introducing advanced technologies for carbon capture and storage, as well as the potential for training Uzbek specialists at Petronas University.
As part of Mirziyoyev’s visit, the Malaysian capital hosted a joint business forum attended by more than 200 companies, investment institutions, and banks. In addition to Petronas, Malaysian business representatives included KPJ Healthcare, Sparco Engineering, and EXIM Bank of Malaysia.
Speaking at the event, Mirziyoyev announced that the two nations had agreed on a two-year period of innovative development in Uzbek-Malaysian partnership, defining priority areas for cooperation. He stated that both sides aim to significantly increase trade turnover, with a preferential trade agreement in the works, along with plans for mutual trade fairs and exhibitions. Industrial collaboration is also expanding, with a substantial portfolio of joint projects already in place.
The president emphasized that both countries seek to elevate their relationship to the level of strategic partnership.
Plans are underway to expand cooperation in electronics and the semiconductor industry, as well as to implement projects in artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and data center development. Other key areas include gas and chemical industries, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals.
At the conclusion of the business forum, Mirziyoyev proposed holding the next such event in Uzbekistan this fall.
Earlier reports indicated that a Malaysian company will manage a new free economic zone to be built in the Tashkent region.
