15 MEI 2024 - MALAYSIA TONIGHT: BILATERAL RELATIONS STRENGTHENING MALAYSIA-UZBEKISTAN TIES

Summary

In the 'On the Table' episode, Ambassador Dr. Kidin GV of Uzbekistan to Malaysia discusses the strengthening ties and cooperation between Uzbekistan and Malaysia. Prime Minister Anar Ibrahim's upcoming visit to Uzbekistan is highlighted as a historic event, expected to enhance trade, economic relations, and bilateral agreements in various fields including education, healthcare, and smart city development. The ambassador also mentions the significance of tourism and the recent increase in direct flights between the two countries as a boost to people-to-people ties and economic relations. The conversation reveals plans for future business forums and the ambassador's personal interest in Malaysia's rich culture and potential for further collaboration.

Takeaways

• 🤝 Prime Minister Anar Ibrahim's upcoming visit to Uzbekistan marks a strengthening of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
• 🌏 Despite geographical distance, historical ties have led to successful growth in relations over the past six to seven years.
• 📈 The visit is expected to intensify trade and economic relations, with a focus on signing agreements and planning joint projects.
• 🏢 Discussions are underway for the second Uzbek-Malaysian business forum to promote business contacts in various sectors.
• 🌳 Tourism is a key area of cooperation, with a 10-year plan (2023-2033) to enhance tourism promotion and marketing.
• ✈️ Direct flights between Uzbekistan and Malaysia are increasing, which is crucial for boosting tourism, trade, and investment.
• 📚 Ambassador Kidin has written extensively on international relations and considers Malaysia's multi-ethnic and multi-religious society as a source of inspiration.
• 📖 He plans to write a book about Malaysia, possibly titled 'Lines from the Malaysian Diary' or 'Memoirs of a Uzbek Geography from Malaysia'.
• 🔄 There are currently 36 Malaysian companies operating in Uzbekistan and one Uzbek company in Malaysia, with plans for expansion.
• 🕊 The shared Muslim majority and historical Silk Road ties create a strong cultural and religious bond between the two nations.
• 💼 Ambassador Kidin has ambitious plans to increase cooperation in economic, cultural, and humanitarian spheres during his term.

Q & A

What is the purpose of Prime Minister Anar Ibrahim's upcoming visit to Uzbekistan?

The upcoming visit is to strengthen the ties and cooperation between Uzbekistan and Malaysia, particularly in areas such as trade, investments, education, training, healthcare, smart city development, and tourism.

How has the relationship between Uzbekistan and Malaysia evolved over the past few years?

The relationship has grown successfully over the past six to seven years due to the implementation of a new strategy for building a new Uzbekistan, which has intensified bilateral and multilateral cooperation within international organizations.

What is the significance of the upcoming visit after a gap of 16 years since the last visit by a Malaysian Prime Minister?

The visit is historic as it marks the first visit after 16 years and is expected to intensify trade and economic relations, which have a large untapped potential.

What are the expected outcomes of the Prime Minister's visit to Uzbekistan?

The visit is expected to result in the signing of agreements and planning of new joint projects in various areas, including trade, investments, education, training, healthcare, and smart city development.

What was discussed during the meeting between the Ambassador and the Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry?

They discussed hosting the second Uzbek-Malaysian Business Forum in Samarkand during the Prime Minister's visit, which will promote business contacts in various sectors and work out a plan to implement agreements reached during the visit.

What is the significance of the tourism sector in the cooperation between Uzbekistan and Malaysia?

Tourism is considered one of the main pillars in cooperation between the two countries as it is essential for their economies and helps bring the cultures closer to each other.

What are the plans for tourism cooperation between Uzbekistan and Malaysia for the next 10 years?

There are specific cooperation plans, including tourism promotion and marketing, joint research and training, and wider air connectivity between major tourism destinations.

What is the current status of direct flights between Uzbekistan and Malaysia, and what are the future plans?

Currently, there are four direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Tashkent, with Batik Air planning to expand this further. Negotiations are ongoing with other Malaysian air companies to establish direct flights to historical cities like Samarkand and Bukhara.

How does the Ambassador view Malaysia's importance to Uzbekistan?

The Ambassador views Malaysia as important due to its beautiful nature, developed economy, and its people who are hospitable, multi-national, and multi-religious, living in peace and unity.

What is the Ambassador's background and how does it influence his perspective on the relationship between the two countries?

The Ambassador is an author of 11 books and over 70 scientific articles on international relations and public diplomacy. His background as a geographer scientist provides him with an informed perspective on the similarities and potential of the relationship.

What are the Ambassador's plans for increasing the number of Malaysian and Uzbek companies operating in each other's countries?

The Ambassador has plans for more Malaysian companies to begin operations in Uzbekistan and vice versa, with the aim to widen cooperation in economic, cultural, and humanitarian spheres.

Outlines

00:00

🤝 Strengthening Diplomatic Ties and Cooperation

The first paragraph introduces the upcoming official working visit of Prime Minister Dri Anwar Ibrahim to Uzbekistan and discusses the strong ties and growing cooperation between the two nations. His Excellency Dr. Kidin GV, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Malaysia, joins the studio to discuss the current state of diplomatic relations, which have been growing successfully over the past six to seven years due to new strategies implemented in Uzbekistan. The visit is expected to intensify trade and economic relations, with potential agreements and joint projects in various fields, including trade, investments, education, healthcare, and smart city development. The ambassador also mentions a recent meeting with Malaysia's Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, which resulted in plans for the second Uzbek-Malaysian Business Forum to be held during the Prime Minister's visit.

05:00

🌏 Boosting Tourism and Cultural Exchange

The second paragraph focuses on the importance of tourism as a key pillar in the cooperation between Uzbekistan and Malaysia. The ambassador highlights the significance of tourism for both economies and the role it plays in bringing the countries and their cultures closer. Specific cooperation plans include tourism promotion, marketing, joint research, and training, as well as increased air connectivity between major tourism destinations. Direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Tashkent have been established, with plans to expand further. The ambassador also shares his personal connection to Malaysia, mentioning his authorship of books and articles on international relations and public diplomacy, and his appreciation for Malaysia's natural beauty, economic development, and diverse, harmonious society.

10:01

📈 Expanding Business and Investment Opportunities

The third paragraph delves into the business and investment opportunities between Uzbekistan and Malaysia. There are currently 36 Malaysian companies operating in Uzbekistan and one Uzbek company in Malaysia. The ambassador expresses optimism for the growth of this number, with plans for additional companies from both countries to begin operations in each other's markets. He anticipates signing documents to expand cooperation in various areas, including economic, investment, cultural, and humanitarian sectors. The ambassador's commitment to working hard to bring the two nations closer is emphasized, along with his excitement for the potential of increased corporate and cultural ties.

Keywords

💡Prime Minister Dr. Anar Ibrahim

Dr. Anar Ibrahim is the Prime Minister of Malaysia, and his upcoming official working visit to Uzbekistan is a central focus of the video. The visit is significant as it marks a strengthening of diplomatic ties and cooperation between the two countries. In the script, his visit is highlighted as being 'historic' and the first after a 16-year gap since the last visit by a Malaysian Prime Minister in 2008.

💡Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is a Central Asian country and the host nation for the upcoming visit by the Malaysian Prime Minister. It is characterized as having historical ties with Malaysia and is currently implementing a new strategy to build a 'new Uzbekistan.' The script mentions the country's efforts to intensify bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Malaysia, particularly in trade, investments, education, and cultural exchanges.

💡Diplomatic Ties

Diplomatic ties refer to the formal relationships and interactions between sovereign states. In the context of the video, diplomatic ties between Uzbekistan and Malaysia have been growing successfully over the past six to seven years, with a focus on enhancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation within international organizations.

💡Cooperation

Cooperation in this video pertains to the collaborative efforts between Uzbekistan and Malaysia to strengthen their relationship. The script discusses growing cooperation in various fields such as trade, investments, education, training, healthcare, and smart city development. Cooperation is also evident in the planned agreements and joint projects to be signed during the Prime Minister's visit.

💡Business Forum

The Business Forum mentioned in the script refers to the second US-Malaysian Business Forum in Samarkand, which is set to take place during the Prime Minister's visit. It aims to promote business contacts between the two countries in sectors like agriculture, food processing, chemical industry, energy, electronics, and pharmaceuticals.

💡Investment

Investment is a key concept in the video, highlighting the mutual economic interests and potential for growth between Uzbekistan and Malaysia. The script discusses the expectation of signing agreements and planning new joint projects in various areas, indicating an interest in fostering investment opportunities.

💡Tourism

Tourism is identified as one of the main pillars of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Malaysia. The script mentions a 10-year plan (2023 to 2033) for cooperation in tourism, emphasizing the importance of the sector for both economies and the potential for cultural exchange through tourism promotion and marketing, joint research, and training.

💡Direct Flights

Direct flights are highlighted in the script as an important aspect of enhancing connectivity between Uzbekistan and Malaysia, particularly for tourism, people-to-people ties, trade, and investment relations. The script notes the recent increase in flights by Batik Air from one to two per week and plans to further expand this service.

💡Cultural Exchange

Cultural exchange is a significant theme in the video, with tourism being a primary means to bring the cultures of Uzbekistan and Malaysia closer together. The script suggests that promoting tourism and understanding each other's cultures can foster stronger ties and mutual respect between the two nations.

💡Smart City Development

Smart city development is one of the areas where Uzbekistan and Malaysia are looking to collaborate. The script mentions this as a potential joint project area during the Prime Minister's visit, indicating a shared interest in modernizing urban infrastructure and services through technology and innovation.

💡Multinational and Multireligious Society

The term 'multinational and multireligious society' is used in the script to describe Malaysia's diverse population, which includes various ethnicities and religious beliefs living in peace and unity. This aspect of Malaysian society is seen as an important factor in fostering international relations and is of interest to the Uzbek Ambassador.

Highlights

Upcoming official working visit of Prime Minister Dr. Anwar Ibrahim to Uzbekistan

Strong ties and growing cooperation between Uzbekistan and Malaysia

Historical ties and successful relationship growth over the past six to seven years

New strategy implementation for building a new Uzbekistan

Bilateral and multilateral cooperation within international organizations

Interparliamentary, trade, economic, cultural, and education ties

Outcomes and agreements expected during the Prime Minister's visit to strengthen ties

First visit after 16 years since the last visit in 2008

Plans to sign agreements and initiate joint projects in various areas

Second US-Malaysian Business Forum scheduled during the Prime Minister's visit

Promotion of business contacts in agriculture, food processing, chemical industry, energy, electronics, and pharmaceutical sectors

Direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Tashkent to boost tourism, people-to-people ties, trade, and investment

Focus on tourism as a main pillar in cooperation between Uzbekistan and Malaysia

10-year plan (2023 to 2033) for cooperation in tourism sector

Ambassador's authorship of 11 books and over 70 scientific articles on international relations and public diplomacy

Malaysia's significance to the Ambassador due to its nature, climate, economy, and multicultural society

Plans for more Malaysian and Uzbek companies to operate in each other's countries

Ambassador's goal to work hard and bring the two nations closer

Transcripts

good evening and welcome to on the table

with the upcoming official working visit

of prime minister dri anoa Ibrahim to

usbekistan tonight we discuss the strong

ties and growing cooperation between the

two countries with us in the studio

today is his Excellency Dr kidin GV the

ambassador of usbekistan to Malaysia

your Excellency thank you so much for

joining us today thank you very much for

inviting me to the your studio this is

very important an in prior to the visit

of honorable prime minister uh of

Malaysia Anar ibraim to usbekistan your

Excellency perhaps we can start with um

the current state of diplomatic ties

between the two countries and how has

this evolved over the last few years yes

it's a very important question thank you

and despite the geographical distance uh

between usbekistan and Malaysia our

countries have been linked the

historical tires and usbekistan and

Malaysia relationship has grown

successfully we can say over the past

six seven years six seven years because

we begin the implement the new strategy

new strategy building of new usbekistan

and uh our countries have intensified

bilateral and multilateral uh Co

cooperation within the international

organizations we have good

interparliamentary uh tires trade

economic cultural and education ties now

on that note your Excellency our prime

minister is scheduled to make a visit to

usbekistan very soon yeah um what

outcomes or agreements do you foresee

happening during this visit and uh which

will strengthen the ties even further

first of all uh upcoming visit of

honorable prime minister Anar ibraim and

high level

dialogue in Tashkent will allow us to

raise the warm and friendly relationship

between our countries we can say this

visits a historic visit because it is

for for the first time after the 16

years last visit of prime minister of

Malia years 16 years ago in 2008 and it

will

intensify first of all trade and

economic relations okay the which has a

large untapped potential we are

expecting to sign agreements and M us uh

and plan new join projects in different

areas including trade

Investments education training Health

Care Smart City development that's a lot

yeah now on that note you're Excellency

you also personally recently met with

our minister of investment trade and

Industry thanu safrul uh what came out

of that meeting specifically yes it was

uh a friendly and fruitful meeting MH uh

indeed we came out to host the second

USC Malaysian business Forum in Samaran

within the visit of honorable prime

minister to usbekistan I see is on uh

18th of May

uh it will provide a unique platform to

promote business contacts between our

countries and uh in such areas as

Agriculture and food

processing uh chemical industry energy

including the green energy uh

electronics and electrotechnical and

pharmaceutical sectors and of course we

agreed with honorable tenu uh to to uh

uh work out after the visit work plan to

how we can uh successfully implement the

agreements which will be uh reached

during the visit of honorable Prime Min

so which means a lot of background work

is going on before the visit yes and and

speaking about um agreements and all of

that anou was signed late last year um

on the sidelines of the United Nations

World tourism organization unwto General

Assembly which was held in usbekistan

now several key areas of cooperation in

tourism between Malaysia and usbekistan

were identified and I understand that

this is a 10-year um plan which is 2023

to

2033 so could you tell me why is there

such a big focus on tourism you know it

was important visit of uh your tourism

minister to

tarant and because tourism is considered

as one of the main

pillars uh in cooperation between

usbekistan and Malaysia okay because

tourism sector is essential for the

economies of both countries and uh I

believe that this the best way to bring

the our beautiful countries to closer to

and reach cultures closer to each other

and we have a specific cooperation plans

in this regard for example uh tourism

promotion and marketing MH and Joint

research and training as well as uh as

wider air connectivity between major

tourism destinations today uh we have a

four flights direct flights between

kumur uh to tashk that's right uh bti

air recently announced uh the flight yes

B A began its flights uh in December

it was only one flights a week

but since 15th of April yes uh bati a

Malaysia began its second flight but now

they have a plans to put thir flight to

expand this even further now why is that

important why are these direct flights

very important because it is important

that these ties will boost not only

tourism M uh but People to People tires

right and but also trade and investment

relations and you need that very we need

very good connections and we are

continuing our negotiations by some

other air companies of Malaysia to put

direct flights to such historical cities

Sumer count and bhara as well oh so

there's lots of plans in place now okay

now your Excellency you are an author of

11 books and more than 70 scientific

articles on international relations and

public diplomacy why is Malaysia

important to

you uh you know you have a beautiful

nature and an equatorial

climate and in my uh one of the my books

I uh devoted as separate

article uh to Rafia arnoldi ah the

largest flower in the world which is

grosses in Malaysia yes and Malaysia

also developed uh economy and your

country was able to become one of the uh

Asian tigers a short period of time

that's right and most

importantly uh you have a wonderful and

hospitable multi National and multi

religious people who live in the country

uh in peace and unity and all this gives

me as a diplomat and uh first of all as

a geographer scientist geographer that's

right you started important information

important information uh to my next book

and I think my uh Malaysia will be the

topic of the my next book I even came up

with the name for It lines from the

Malaysian diary or it may be Memoirs of

an USBC geography from

Malaysia wonderful and I'm looking

forward to that book now um your

Excellency Before I Let You Go I do have

one last question since you are an

expert in geography uh usbekistan itself

is a landlocked country and and Malaysia

is practically the opposite yes uh but

I'm sure there are some similarities and

I know you've not been here very long

but what are the similarities that you

see between both countries uh we have a

many

similarities I already told you have a

very kindful yes very cheerful people

okay and uh we have the the here the

main part of population is Muslims in

our country also 20

uh 5% of population is Muslims we have a

sacred Islam okay many many uh that we

have a common historical ties within the

ancient Silk Road yes which is

connecting our countes to each other and

therefore uh Malaysia uh it's very

important for me I like it very much

thank you now I do have one final

question before we go uh um you did

recently reveal uh I read a report that

said that there are currently 36

Malaysian companies operating in

usbekistan and there's one USC company

which is in Malaysia over the next four

to five years of your term here how do

you see this number changing uh you know

I have a huge plans there ah and uh yes

we have a 33 oper Malaysian operators in

our country companies uh which is

operating in our country and one uh us

company in Malaysia yeah but soon yes

uh another one two companies will begin

their activities in usbekistan

and uh two USBC companies will begin

their activities in Malaysia we are are

ready for signing some documents and uh

our uh cooperation in many areas not

only in economic and investment but

cultural and human humanitarian spheres

will widen I hope and I came uh to

Malaysia to work very hard and to bring

of these two wonderful Nations more

closely wonderful we're really looking

forward to hearing more about these

corporations thank you very much your

Excellency thank you so much for your

time here today my pleasure my pleasure

thank

you I've been speaking to his Excellency

Dr kidin GV the ambassador of usbekistan

to Malaysia it's now back to you