ASTANA: The Astana Expo 2017 is an excellent platform to develop a stronger trade relationship and potential cooperation in the field of green energy between Malaysia and the Republic of Kazakhstan as well as other 114 participating countries in the international event.
Deputy International Trade and Industry (MITI) Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan said the Malaysian private sector could use the opportunity to leverage on the platform to create business relationships with key industry players in Kazakhstan.
"Our plan is definitely to increase the trade volume between Malaysia and Kazakhstan. Malaysia is a trading nation and Kazakhstan can choose Malaysia as a principle hub to go to other Asean countries," Ahmad Maslan told a press conference after the launch of Malaysia’s National Day celebration event, here today.
Also present were acting Deputy Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri SK Devamany; Deputy Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, Vice-Minister of National Economy Kazakhstan, Aibatyr Zhumagulov; and the Ambassador of Malaysia to Kazakhstan, Syed Mohamad Bakri Syed Abdul Rahman.
Ahmad Maslan is undertaking a working visit to Kazakhstan from July 10 to 13.
He is scheduled to meet several Kazakh companies to discuss business and investment opportunities between Malaysia and Kazakhstan, especially in the manufacturing sectors including medical devices, food products, production of electrical and electronic components and automotive spare parts, among others.
Meanwhile, Devamany said Malaysia is keen to work together with the Republic of Kazakhstan in the renewable energy sector, particularly the solar power and biomass energy.
"Malaysia would like to work together with Kazakhstan in these areas. And Malaysia is also a top education destination in Asia," he said in his speech.
Devamany also said that the Malaysian pavilion is one of the top 10 most visited pavilions at Expo 2017.
"We are pleased to have intrigued many visitors from Kazakhstan and other nations with our display of technology as well as our vibrant culture, crafts and culinary which are part of the main features," he said.
In the last 25 years, Malaysia and Kazakhstan have developed bilateral cooperation in various sectors as well as the establishment of a joint trade and economic committee and business council.
Zhumagulov said Kazakhstan regards Malaysia as an important strategic trade and economic partner among the countries in Southeast Asia.
"Malaysia is a reliable and long-term foreign economic partner for us. We appreciate these relations and intend to strengthen it in the framework of the working groups on the Halal industry, Islamic finance, tourism, renewable energy, oil and gas and investment cooperation," he said.
Zhumagulov added that the trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Malaysia in the first four months of 2017 amounted to US$26.1 million, which is 30.2 per cent higher than the same period in 2016.
Kazakhstan is Malaysia's fourth largest trading partner among the Commonwealth of Independent State countries.
In 2016, the total trade between Malaysia and Kazakhstan rose by 36.1 per cent to reach US$49.22 million.
Malaysia's largest export item to Kazakhstan is coffee-based preparations (other agricultures) while the two biggest imports from Kazakhstan are zinc and television components.