MALAYSIA'S ENGAGEMENT IN UZBEKISTAN REFLECTS STRONG COMMITMENT, SAYS ENVOY

By Nabilah Saleh

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 (Bernama) -- Malaysia remains committed to strengthening ties with Uzbekistan, with its ambassador, Ilham Tuah Illias, expressing deep personal pride in the country’s contributions to Uzbekistan’s progress.

Speaking on Bernama TV’s Diplomatic Dispatch programme recently, Ilham highlighted Malaysia’s engagement across various sectors, including trade, investment, education and cultural exchange, reflecting a long-term commitment to fostering meaningful cooperation.

"I'm proud, on behalf of Malaysia, to bring Uzbekistan back into the glory days. Who knows, maybe in the future, we’ll find some scientists due to Malaysia’s industry and collaboration," he said.

His remarks came in the wake of the recent two-day official visit by Uzbekistan’s President, Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Malaysia in early February -- his first since assuming office in 2016.

The visit marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations, as it was the first high-level engagement between the two countries in nearly two decades.

"The visit by the Uzbekistan President is actually a milestone in itself because, for almost 20 years, there was no such high-level engagement. It signals a new chapter in our bilateral relationship," Ilham said.

During the visit, Malaysia and Uzbekistan reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation, with Malaysian and Uzbek companies exchanging Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) in key sectors such as renewable energy, Islamic banking, fisheries, food security and the halal ecosystem.

"These collaborations are expected to gain momentum moving forward," he added.

Mirziyoyev’s visit also served as a reciprocal gesture following Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s official trip to Uzbekistan in May 2024.

Elaborating, Ilham highlighted Uzbekistan’s strategic development plan, noting that its leadership is keen to leverage Malaysia’s expertise.

"Uzbekistan’s President is a visionary leader. He wants to develop a roadmap for the country and is keen on Malaysian expertise in technical know-how, consultancy, and especially training the youth for the future," he said.

To ensure steady progress, Mirziyoyev has requested regular assessments of bilateral initiatives.

"The President wants to see every three months what is the progress in terms of trade, in terms of business, in terms of education," Ilham noted.

As Malaysia and Uzbekistan work towards closer cooperation, Ilham underscored the importance of trust in building a sustainable partnership.

"I hope that we can build up this trustworthiness between two countries," he said, expressing confidence in the long-term prospects of the relationship.

Ilham further noted the increasing interest among Malaysian travellers in Uzbekistan, attributing this to high-level visits and ongoing promotional efforts.

"Tourism is picking up due to the visit of our Prime Minister and the good promotion efforts by the embassy," he said.

Looking ahead, the ambassador said Malaysia remains committed to its partnership with Uzbekistan and is optimistic about the opportunities ahead.

"It’s full speed ahead, and I’m very excited," he said.

Malaysia and Uzbekistan established diplomatic relations on February 21, 1992, shortly after Uzbekistan declared independence following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Malaysia was among the first Southeast Asian nations to recognise Uzbekistan's sovereignty.

In 1993, Malaysia opened its embassy in Tashkent, and Uzbekistan reciprocated by establishing its embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

-- BERNAMA