Envoy Eyes Expanding Uzbekistan-Malaysia Economic Ties

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18 (Bernama) -- Uzbekistan is hopeful that economic relations between the landlocked central Asian country and Malaysia will deepen in the future. This was stated by Ambassador to Malaysia, Murad Askarov after calling on Senate president Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang at the Parliament building here Wednesday. "I welcome future expansion in the economic field between our two countries," he told reporters after the meeting. In 2013, bilateral trade between Malaysia and Uzbekistan amounted to US$71.46 million, with Malaysian exports valued at US$69.83 million. During an official visit to Uzbekistan in May last year, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin called for closer collaboration between Malaysia and Uzbekistan in fields such as oil and gas, logistics and infrastructure. Malaysia's main export products are electrical and electronics items, processed food, palm and vegetable oils, cocoa products, machinery appliances and rubber products. Meanwhile, Abu Zahar said Murad who took over as ambassador last September, commended Malaysia's progress since gaining independence in 1957. The Senate president said Murad also acknowledged the role of Prime Minister Najib Razak's administration in the deepening ties between Kuala Lumpur and Tashkent. Abu Zahar said he would travel to Uzbekistan this month at the invitation of the republic to get a closer look at the electoral process in that country. -- BERNAMA