Malaysia looks forward to closer interaction with Russian within ASEAN framework - Ambassador

MOSCOW, May 18. /TASS/. Malaysia hopes interaction with Russia will deepen within the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Malaysian Ambassador to Moscow Hayati Binti Ismail told TASS on Wednesday. The Malaysian ambassador made this statement in an interview with TASS on the eve of the Russia-ASEAN summit that will be held in the Black Sea resort of Sochi on May 19-20. "Taking into account of the establishment of the ASEAN Community, it is envisaged that ASEAN will continue to deepen its economic integration. In this context, ASEAN hopes that Russia will try to capitalise the opportunities available in ASEAN further. Malaysia hopes that we can undertake several initiatives to promote closer economic engagement such as through the exchange of business visits, convening of business seminars, trade fairs and language courses. Such initiatives are surely steps in the right direction," the diplomat said. Cooperation in energy sphere is one more promising area for interaction, the Ambassador said. "The ASEAN-Russia Energy Cooperation Work Programme 2010 - 2015 is a significant development, marking the willingness and readiness of ASEAN and Russia to deepen cooperation, especially on capacity building programmes, development of alternative and renewable energy resources, energy infrastructure, peaceful use of nuclear energy, coal, and oil and gas exploration," the diplomat said. "On this note, Malaysia is of the view that the convening of the upcoming ASEAN-Russia Business Forum during the Commemorative Summit will provide a good platform for our businessmen to interact and exchange views on possible areas of cooperation," she added. "Russia is ASEAN’s 8th largest trading partner since 2011," Hayati Binti Ismail said. "Total trade between ASEAN and Russia stood at $22.5 billion in 2014. ASEAN’s exports to Russia accounted for $5.4 billion while imports from Russia were recorded at $17.1 billion," she added. Cooperation is also taking place in "e-commerce, small and medium enterprises, science and technology, disaster management, people-to-people exchange as well as education," the Malaysian Ambassador said. Read more