Malaysia and Turkmenistan are set to explore potential cooperation in agricultural technology, water resources management, research and development, and capacity building. This initiative was highlighted during a courtesy call from Turkmenistan's Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Tanryguly Atahallyyev, to Malaysian Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup, in Putrajaya, as reported by the official Malaysian news agency, Bernama.
During the meeting, which marked the first engagement between the two countries focused on agriculture, both officials exchanged information about their ministries' structures and recent developments in the agricultural sector. Datuk Arthur emphasized Malaysia’s high-quality tropical fruits and extended an invitation for Turkmenistan to consider importing these products.
Atahallyyev, accompanied by Turkmenistan's Agriculture Minister Charyyar Chetiyev, is in Malaysia as part of a two-day official visit by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, which began yesterday.
The bilateral trade volume between Malaysia and Turkmenistan in agriculture and agro-food sectors was recorded at RM32.01 million in 2023, with trade figures for the first eight months of the year already surpassing RM44.2 million.
In related discussions, Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan met with Turkmenistan's Foreign Minister, Rashid Meredov, to address bilateral issues of mutual interest. The discussions included a proposal to establish a Joint Commission Meeting aimed at enhancing cooperation, as well as exploring economic opportunities beyond the traditional oil and gas sectors.
This dialogue precedes President Berdimuhamedov's first official visit to Malaysia since assuming office in March 2022, scheduled for December 18 to 19.
