ID :
30797
Tue, 11/18/2008 - 16:04
Auther :

UZBEKISTAN CAN USE MALAYSIA AS SPRINGBOARD TO ASEAN By From Jamaluddin Muhammad

TASHKENT (Uzbekistan), Nov 17 (Bernama) -- Uzbekistan can use Malaysia as a springboard to export its products to the Asean market, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Monday.

Likewise, Malaysia could use Uzbekistan as a hub for its market in Central
Asia, the Malaysian prime minsiter said.

Uzbekistan could look beyond its region to expand its market, he told a
joint news conference with Uzbek President Islam Karimov at the Presidential
Residence, Durmen, here.

Earlier, Abdullah, who is on the second day of a four-day official visit
here, had a meeting with Karimov before leading their respective delegations in
a meeting at Durmen, where he was also given an official welcome.

He said the two countries could also explore untapped areas such as
agriculture and agro-based industry.

"We have agreed to cooperate in developing agriculture and agro-based
industry using technology as a catalyst," Abdullah said.

He said both countries could produce products not only for local
consumption
but also for comsumption beyond their respective regions, besides establishing
air links between them.

Presently only Uzbekistan Airways flies twice a week to Malaysia and
cooperates with Malaysia Airlines, the flag carrier of Malaysia, on a
code-sharing basis.

Apart from the current cooperation between the two countries on oil and
gas,
they could also cooperate on developing the tourism industry as well as using
Malaysia as halal hub, Abdullah said.

He also touched on Islam Hadhari, or civilisational Islam, and welcomed
scholars from Uzbekistan to visit Malaysia to undertake further research and
discussion with their Malaysian counterparts and experience first-hand Islam
Hadhari as practised in Malaysia.

He reiterated his statement that Islam Hadhari promoted good governance as
well as economic and social progress.

Karimov, in his opening remarks before the bilateral meeting, said Islam
Hadhari had the full support of Uzbekistan.

Describing Malaysia as a reliable partner, he said the country had
benefited
a lot from the assitance given by Malaysia in training its specialised human
resources through the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme.


Earlier, both leaders witnessed the signing of four memorandums of
understanding on:

*Cooperation in science and technology signed by Unity, Culture, Arts and
Heritage Minister Shafie Apdal and Chairman of the Coordination of
the Science and Technology Development of Uzbekistan Shavkat Salihov.

*Cooperation in the field of Higher Education signed by Higher Education
Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Minister of Higher and Secondary
Specialiased Education of Uzbekistan Azimjon Parpijev.

*Cooperation on Human Capital Development
in the Oil and Gas Industry signed by Petronas President and Chief Executive
Officer Hassan Marican and Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister II Ergash
Shaismatov and

*Protocol of Effective Date for Surkhanski Exploration Agreement between
Uzbekistan and Malaysia signed by Hassan and Ergash.

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