On 15 May, Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim paid an official visit to Bishkek to engage in talks with President Sadyr Japarov.
The agenda focused on the current state of the countries’ bilateral cooperation and the potential for further development in sectors including agriculture, tourism, energy, renewable energy sources, mining, infrastructure, information technology, and the halal industry.
The meeting concluded with the signing of a ‘Joint Statement on the comprehensive enhancement of cooperation between the Kyrgyz Republic and Malaysia’, described by President Japarov as a road map for the further development of Kyrgyz-Malaysian relations.
At a meeting later in the day with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Akylbek Japarov emphasized the importance of joint efforts in the implementation of a more comprehensive business partnership between Kyrgyzstan and Malaysia.
In this regard, Akylbek Japarov proposed the immediate revival of the Special Kyrgyz-Malaysian Joint Commission, which created in 1997, had proved an effective means of enhancing cooperation between the two countries.
In addition, he invited Malaysian investors to collaborate in projects concerning renewable energy sources, mining, the halal industry, and education, as well as exchanging experience in the field of Islamic finance.
The two countries also opened negotiations for the introduction of direct flights between Bishkek and Kuala Lumpur.
In response to the meeting, the Prime Minister of Malaysia emphasized his readiness to develop and strengthen the high potential of bilateral cooperation across the board.
Towards this goal, he spoke of Malaysia’s interest in establishing cooperation in the banking sector and opening a bank in Kyrgyzstan, and with reference to education, said that his government was considering reducing the fees for Kyrgyz students from low-income families wishing to study in his country.
