Home - Business - Malaysia invited to diversify its investment in Turkmenistan
Posted on February 8, 2012, Wednesday
Datuk Seri Anifah AmanLONDON: Malaysian firms should capitalise on the vast business opportunities in Turkmenistan as the Central Asian nation seeks to intensify contacts in a broad spectrum of economic partnership. This invitation was expressed by the President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, to Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman at a meeting on Feb 1.
Anifah, who was met by Malaysian press in London yesterday, said among key areas that was raised at the meeting was the increase of Malaysian involvement in industrial, transport and communications as well as high technology and tourism sectors, especially in the context of Turkmenistan’s ongoing infrastructural projects and large-scale reform initiatives.
“President Berdimuhammadov, who together with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, took the relationship of both countries to a higher level in the past year, has indicated to me that his government will be very friendly to any possible Malaysian involvements and investments in the Turkmen economy,” he said.
The Turkmen market, which is rapidly developing, and the favourable investment climate in the country, provide a conducive platform for the establishment of long-term cooperation with Malaysian business circles.
“My trip to Turkmenistan was also to assist Petronas in trying to secure other further business opportunities and to request for speedy government approval to facilitate of some of the work that they plan to do there,” he added.
Petronas Carigali, the exploration and production arm of Petronas, began operating in the Turkmen sector of Caspian Sea since 1996. Ten years later, in May 2006, the national oil corporation began to diversify in more downstream activities, such as industrial production and oil export.
Moving forward, on top of wider economic links, Berdimuhammadov had also expressed hopes that both Malaysia and Turkmenistan will be able to enhance bilateral humanitarian contacts, including in areas of education, professional training, science and culture.
Anifah also said that his ministry had already identified a candidate to be appointed as Malaysia’s first ambassador to Turkmenistan, with a Malaysian Embassy to be opened in the Turkmen capital of Ashgabat in the coming months.
Turkmenistan is also in the process of establishing an embassy in Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama
<< Previous Entry - Next Entry >>
Grace Smith and her husband, Tedius, go through the rows of sweet peper plants at their greenhouse in Mafoota, St James. - Photo by Mark TitusMark Titus, Gleaner Writer WESTERN BUREAU: Despite a decline in business over the past year, veteran farmer Grace Smith is determined to make the best of the opportunities given to her. "I simply love farming. It gives me a sense of satisfaction. The freedom of being your own boss is something more valuable than anything money can buy," she said when Western Focus visited her farm in Mafoota, St James, on Tuesday. "I have been a farmer for almost 30 years. If it was not for the love of agriculture, I would have left a long time, but this is my life. I would not do anything else." Smith cultivates vegetables and is a leading member of the Mafoota Farmers' Cooperative, formed over a decade ago. She benefited from a supply deal under the Sandals-Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) project. As part of the project, the hotel provides the farmers with vegetable seeds and marketing opportunities, while RADA assists with technical support. Supplying some of the more prominent resorts in the region, Smith and her husband, Tedius, have established themselves as among the most reliable suppliers of fresh vegetables. Cabbage, carrots, callaloo, lettuce, zucchini, yellow squash, and other produce from the farm make their way, not only to the hotels, but also to local markets for consumers. Demand shrinking Smith's career in farming, which began in the 1970s, has managed to school her six children. However, things have not been the same in recent times, with requests for produce from her seven and a half acres farm declining. "Farming is a challenge. Sometimes it is good, but sometimes it is bad," she said pensively. "It is hard to invest so much in fertiliser, pesticides, and all that is needed to produce crops at the level that it is needed but not have enough market to supply." Apart from fulfilling their contractual obligations, the Smiths can be found at the Charles Gordon Market in Montego Bay, St James, each week. "With the fluctuation in demand, we have to do everything to get our produce out there. So when you come to the market, just ask for the lady with the best callaloo, and they will all point to me," Smith stated. blog comments powered by