KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 18 — Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedow will visit Malaysia from December 18 to 19, marking his first official visit since assuming office in March 2022.
According to a statement by the Foreign Ministry, also known as Wisma Putra, on Wednesday, Berdimuhamedow will be accompanied by six deputy prime ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister cum Foreign Affairs Minister Rashid Meredov,.
Five Cabinet ministers, including Defence Minister Maksat Babayev, Culture Minister Atageldi Shamyradov and Agriculture Minister Charyyar Chetiyev, will also be part of the delegation.
During the visit, Berdimuhamedow will be accorded an official welcoming ceremony at the Perdana Putra in Putrajaya on December 19, followed by a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“Both leaders are expected to discuss bilateral matters, particularly in trade and investment, oil and gas cooperation, higher education, tourism and connectivity,” the statement said.
They will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, including Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship in 2025, added the statement.
Trade between Malaysia and Turkmenistan has shown significant growth. Between January and October 2024, total trade surged by 74.8 per cent to RM63.28 million (US$13.90 million) compared to RM36.19 million (US$7.91 million) in the corresponding period last year.
In 2023, Turkmenistan was Malaysia’s fourth largest trading partner among Central Asian countries, with total trade valued at RM48.62 million (US$10.57 million).
— Bernama
