MALAYSIAN PM'S VISIT TO KAZAKHSTAN STRENGTHENED BILATERIAL TIES - MINISTER

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) - The official visit by Prime Minister of
Malaysia Najib Tun Razak to Kazakhstan in June was to further enhance bilateral
ties between the two countries, said Foreign Minister Anifah Aman.

He said the visit also resulted in enhanced cooperation on the economic
front with both nations embarking on several signature projects in the oil and
gas, Islamic banking, contruction and halal food industry sectors.

"The official visit also saw the signing of three agreements between
Malaysia and Kazakhstan," he said in his written reply to Tian Chua, an
Opposition Member of Parliament in the House of Representatives Tuesday.

Anifah said Najib, who led the Malaysian delegation to the 7th World Islamic
Economic Forum (WIEF) in Astana, Kazakhstan from June 7 to 9, also paved the way
for more trade opportunities between both countries.

This could be seen in the Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed by
Malaysian companies during the duration of the forum, he said.

Referring to Najib's official visit to Turkmenistan on July 11 and 12,
Anifah said it was to fulfill an invitation by the President of Turkmenistan
which was also the case for the Kazakhstan visit.

"The visit to Turkmenistan was also to further enhance bilateral ties.

"Five agreements were signed and the prime minister also opened Petronas'
first gas terminal in the country, at Kiyanli, Turkmenbashi on July 12, besides
anouncing the opening of Malaysia's embassy in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan," he said.

Meanwhile, Anifah said, Najib's visit to Perth, Australia from Aug 31 to
Sept 3 was in his personal capacity but the prime minister took the opportunity
to meet up with Malaysians studying and living in Australia at an Aidilfitri
celebration organised by the Malaysian Consulate-General in Perth.

"The prime minister also spent some time to meet and hold discussions with
representatives of a Islamic organisation based in Perth," he added.