ESCAPING GRILLING ON JOHOR BILL? Najib rushes off to Turkmenistan

ASHGABAT (Turkmenistan) - MALAYSIA and Turkmenistan will strengthen bilateral ties with a slew of agreements in various economic sectors.

Both countries will establish links in the areas of culture, education, tourism and the halal market, as well as enhancing collaboration in the oil and gas (O&G) sector.

The agreements will be signed during Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's official two-day visit to this Central Asian nation beginning today.

Malaysian ambassador to Turkmenistan Norman Muhamad said Najib was scheduled to have a one-on-one meeting with Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at the Presidential Palace here.

This will be followed by the witnessing of document signings between both countries.

Norman said the agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) would strengthen cultural and education cooperation, while a joint trade committee between Malaysia and Turkmenistan would be set up by both nations.

"There are 144 Turkmen students taking technical courses at Universiti Malaysia Petronas, and hospitality and tourism courses at a private college.

"We hope that the number will increase following the collaboration in the education and tourism fields.

"A total of 940 Turkmen visited Malaysia last year," he said here yesterday.

Norman said another important agreement was the MoU on long-term cooperation between Petronas and state-owned Turkmen Gas that would intensify both countries' cooperation and partnership in the gas exploration sector.

Turkmenistan has a gas reserve of 17.5 trillion cubic metres, which is the fourth largest natural gas reserve in the world after those in Iran, Russia and Qatar.

Apart from Petronas, Norman said, other Malaysian players in the O&G sector had also expressed interest to explore opportunities in the Central Asian country and this would be discussed by both leaders at a meeting tomorrow.

Malaysia's collaboration with Turkmenistan in the O&G sector began in 1996 when Petronas entered a production-sharing contract with Turkmen Gas.

It has since become one of the main partners for Turkmenistan's oil and gas exploration in the Caspian Sea.

Norman said Malaysia was also looking forward to collaborating with Turkmenistan in tapping its halal food market by turning it into a hub for the Central Asia region.

"Also, Malaysian property players may seek opportunities to participate in Turkmenistan's development, especially in the city here."

Turkmenistan is Malaysia's third largest trading partner in the Central Asian region with both nations' total trade growing from US$24.27 million (RM78.87 million) in 2011 to US$33.31 million last year.

Malaysia's major exports to Turkmenistan include machinery and parts, iron and steel products, palm oil, chemical products and electrical and electronic items.

Malaysia mostly imports machinery, appliances and parts from the country.

Najib's second visit to Turkmenistan today is at the invitation of its president. His first visit was in July 2011, which was followed by Gurbanguly's first official visit to Malaysia five months later.

Following the fruitful visit, Malaysia and Turkmenistan had agreed to strengthen bilateral ties, paving the way for the setting up of the Malaysian embassy here in December 2011 while Turkmenistan opened its embassy in Kuala Lumpur in July last year.

Norman said Najib would be accompanied by his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Senator Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar and a business delegation. -NST