During his official visit in Kuala Lumpur on 5 Ferbruary, president of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced the establishment of a special economic zone in Tashkent region, offering full incentives for Malaysian companies.
“We have opened an economic zone with all necessary benefits for Malaysian businesses. What does this mean? You will have exclusive opportunities that we have extended to entrepreneurs from around the world. I will personally oversee this initiative. The land is ready, and the infrastructure is in place,” the president stated according to a report by Uzbekistan 24 TV channel.
He acknowledged the geographical distance between Uzbekistan and Malaysia but emphasized “a strong will and desire for partnership”.
The president further said that discussions with Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim covered projects in energy, artificial intelligence, digital technologies, agriculture and education, as well as the development of data centers.
“We discussed numerous issues and reached agreements. There are no unresolved matters. Time moves swiftly. We are ready to create all necessary conditions for implementing our agreements. We have the will, and you have the technology. I believe that by combining these strengths, we will achieve great results,” Shavkat Mirziyoyev stressed.
He noted that foreign investments in Uzbekistan surged from $1 billion in 2016, when he became a president, to $35 billion last year, underscoring the “confidence of international investors”.
The head of the state personally assured guarantees for Malaysian entrepreneurs and partners.
“For each of your projects, a separate resolution from the Cabinet of Ministers will be issued, and responsible officials will be assigned. My friend [Anwar Ibrahim] and I will personally oversee this process. You should trust that Uzbekistan is open for you. Uzbekistan is the gateway to Central Asia. We are always ready to welcome you with an open-door policy,” he emphasized.
Following discussions between president Mirziyoyev and prime minister Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur, the sides signed agreements on cooperation in customs affairs, higher education, healthcare and the development of smart cities. Additionally, a partnership plan for combating corruption in 2025−2026 was established.
The president also expressed support for plans of Malaysian oil and gas company Petronas in implementing projects in Uzbekistan related to advanced raw material processing and green energy. Key areas of collaboration include geological exploration and the development of hydrocarbon fields.
