TASHKENT, May 17 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived today for his inaugural three-day official visit to Uzbekistan, which aims to enhance bilateral relations in various fields.
The special aircraft from Kazakhstan landed at the Tashkent International Airport at 2.15pm local time (5.15pm Malaysian time).
Upon arrival, he was greeted by Uzbekistan Prime Minister Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov, Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov, Tashkent Mayor Shavkat Umrzakov, Uzbekistan Ambassador to Malaysia Karomidin Gadoev, and Malaysian Ambassador to Uzbekistan Ilham Tuah Illias.
The Foreign Ministry said the visit is at the invitation of Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Uzbekistan is the last stop of Anwar’s visit to three Central Asian countries. Anwar had earlier made an official visit to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
During his visit, the Prime Minister is accompanied by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan; Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz; Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na'im Mokhtar.
From the airport, Anwar will depart to the Independence Monument in Yangi Uzbekistan Park for the wreath-laying ceremony and later to the Kuksaroy Presidential Residence, where he is scheduled to meet President Mirziyoyev for a bilateral meeting to discuss relations between Malaysia and Uzbekistan, as well as explore potential areas of cooperation.
Tomorrow, he will visit the Imam Hazrati Complex, where the original manuscript of the Caliph Usman Quran (Mashaf Uthmani) — the oldest in the world — is kept and displayed.
From Tashkent, Anwar will travel to Samarkand, where he is expected to address the High-Level Uzbekistan-Malaysian Business Forum held at the Silk Road Samarkand Tourism Complex.
Malaysia and Uzbekistan have enjoyed close relations since they established ties in 1992.
Uzbekistan is a landlocked country surrounded by five countries: Kazakhstan to the north, Kyrgyzstan to the northeast, Tajikistan to the southeast, Afghanistan to the south, and Turkmenistan to the southwest.
In 2023, Malaysia-Uzbekistan’s total trade was RM451.1 million (US$94.03 million), with exports to Uzbekistan amounting to RM449 million (US$93.6 million) and imports amounting to RM1.99 million (US$414,518).
The last visit of a Malaysian premier to Uzbekistan was made by Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in 2008.
— Bernama
