Malaysian Entrepreneurs Urged To Tap Opportunities In Turkmenistan

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysian entrepreneurs have been urged to tap greater business opportunities in Turkmenistan, a gas-rich central Asian country with a population of six million. "In 2014, total trade between Malaysia and Turkmenistan was less than US$30 million, down from US$33 million in 2013," said the secretary-general of the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Malaysia (NCCIM), Syed Hussein Al Habshee. He encouraged more Malaysian companies, particularly those from the halal industry and construction sectors, to venture into these non-traditional markets. "Processed food exported to Turkmenistan reached US$770,000 in 2014, which constituted 3.3 per cent of the total exports of US$ 21.84 million, he said. According to the former Malaysian ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, he hoped this number can increase, especially for the halal food sector. Syed Hussein told reporters this at a press conference after delivering his opening remarks at the Turmen-Malaysian Businesss Forum here Wednesday. He said a halal exhibition is expected to take place in Turkmenistan in April next year. Currently, only three Malaysian companies, namely Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas), UMW Holdings Bhd, and Scomi Group have a presence in the country. Meanwhile, the one-day forum, co-organised by NCCIM, the embassy of Turkmenistan, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan, saw the participation of about 40 Turkmen delegates from the government and private sectors. Meanwhile, Turkmenkistan's ambassador to Malaysia, Yazkuli Mammedov expressed the hope of closer contact between the business communities of both countries following Wednesday's forum. -- BERNAMA