Malaysia, Turkmenistan To Exchange Several Key Documents During PM Anwar's Official Visit  

From Sharifah Hunaini Syed Ismail

ASHGABAT (TURKMENISTAN), June 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Turkmenistan are expected to exchange several key documents especially in the field of oil and gas during the official visit by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to Turkmenistan starting today.

According to Wisma Putra, the official visit from June 18-19 is at the invitation of Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. 

It said Anwar and Berdimuhamedov are also expected to sign a joint statement in conjunction with the official visit and witness the exchange of documents including an Air Services Agreement between the governments of Malaysia and Turkmenistan; a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Institute of International Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.

“Both leaders will also witness the exchange of MoU between the Ministry of Transport and the State Service of Turkmenistan and the MoU between the Academy of Sciences Malaysia and the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan,” it said in a statement today.

Wisma Putra said the visit is to reciprocate the official visit by Berdimuhamedov to Malaysia in December 2024.

It added that the Prime Minister’s visit also coincides with the 30th anniversary of Petroliam Nasional Bhd’s (Petronas) operations in Turkmenistan, reflecting three decades of Malaysia’s economic engagement with the country since Petronas commenced operations here on May 11, 1996.

Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, will be accompanied by Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Minister of Economy Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir and senior government officials.

“During the visit, the Prime Minister will be accorded an official welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace, followed by a bilateral meeting. 

Both leaders will discuss the current state of bilateral relations and explore avenues to further strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, oil and gas, agriculture and commodities, energy, tourism, education and people-to-people exchanges, digital, and science and technology. 

Anwar and Berdimuhamedov will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, particularly developments in ASEAN and the Central Asian region, it said.

The Prime Minister is also expected to jointly officiate the Malaysia–Turkmenistan Forum with Berdimuhamedov.

In 2025, Turkmenistan was Malaysia's fourth largest trading partner among Central Asian nations.

“Total trade between Malaysia and Turkmenistan amounted to RM75.80 million, with Malaysian exports valued at RM75.50 million, registering a 9 per cent increase compared with the previous year. 

Turkmenistan is also a major investment destination for Petronas, with the company’s total investments in the country reaching RM52.73 billion from 1996 to date.

-- BERNAMA