Anwar calls for stronger ties among developing nations

SAMARKAND: Developing nations should enhance collaboration to provide mutual support for economic growth, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar, who is on a three-day official visit to Uzbekistan, said that in the context of Malaysia-Uzbekistan relations, both countries should leverage on their respective strengths to enhance trade and investment ties.

"Although countries such as Malaysia and Uzbekistan are highly dependent on investments from large nations, our future very much depends on the ability to develop our own strengths," he said in a Facebook post on Wednesday (May 15).

He noted that on Saturday (May 18), the Malaysian delegation he led participated in the Uzbekistan-Malaysia High Level Business Forum at the Samarkand Silk Road Complex, along with the Uzbekistan leadership helmed by Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev.

Anwar said the forum was attended by more than 200 industry personalities and heads of companies from various sectors in Malaysia and Uzbekistan, and conducted a dialogue session to learn of the country's policies and direction.

Among the participants were Uzbek companies with annual revenue exceeding RM1bil such as Eriell Group, Korzinka, Orient Group, Murad Buildings and Asklepiy Group, as well as those from Malaysia such as Petronas, the Employees Provident Fund, Khazanah Nasional, Proton, Sunway Group and Sime Darby.

"In my speech at the forum, I expressed my confidence in potential Malaysia-Uzbekistan collaborations in various sectors including oil and gas, engineering, electrical and electronics, halal and Islamic finance, in addition to new areas such as digital technology and artificial intelligence," Anwar said.

The Prime Minister said he believes Malaysian companies can learn from Uzbekistan's ability to bring about changes, modernisation and economic progress within a short time frame.

Anwar and Jamshid also witnessed six memoranda of understanding exchanged among the two countries' agencies and companies, and Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) also exchanged MOUs with local universities there.

"God willing, this Uzbekistan-Malaysia High Level Business Forum is expected to generate export revenue of at least RM710mil, hence contributing to the nation's economic growth. Agencies should facilitate and expedite the transactions," he added. – Bernama