Malaysian Prime Minister Pledges to Strengthen Bonds with Kazakhstan and Central Asia
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has expressed a strong commitment to boosting cooperation with Kazakhstan in key areas such as trade and investment, education, and digitalization. During his first official visit to Astana, Prime Minister Ibrahim met with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to discuss ways to strengthen ties between the two nations.
Highlighting Malaysia’s dedication to enhancing collaboration with Kazakhstan, Prime Minister Ibrahim emphasized the importance of inter-regional cooperation between the Association of SouthEast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Central Asian region. He mentioned Malaysia’s upcoming ASEAN chairmanship and the need to focus on promoting economic growth, trade, and investment opportunities in the region.
The Malaysian leader also underscored the potential for expanding economic cooperation between the two countries, citing a significant 30% increase in trade and investments over the past year. Both nations are keen on transitioning from raw materials to higher-value products to further boost trade relations.
In addition to trade, education, and digitization were identified as priority sectors for cooperation. Malaysia, known for its expertise in these areas, looks to provide opportunities for Kazakh students to study in Malaysia, particularly in fields like artificial intelligence and digital technology. Likewise, Malaysia aims to learn from Kazakhstan’s advancements in education and research.
Furthermore, both countries plan to capitalize on each other’s strengths in the digital sphere, with Malaysia emerging as a hub for technology investments. The two leaders have discussed the potential for collaborative efforts in digital innovation and IT development.
Overall, the bilateral meetings between Malaysia and Kazakhstan are seen as laying the groundwork for future policies and business partnerships. Prime Minister Ibrahim commended the social and political reforms initiated by President Tokayev, highlighting the shared commitment to combating corruption and promoting transparency.
As Malaysia and Kazakhstan seek to deepen their relationship, the focus remains on leveraging each other’s strengths in trade, education, and digitalization to create mutually beneficial opportunities for growth and prosperity.
