KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is interested in developing a trade partnership with Kazakhstan, taking advantage of their good relations with Malaysia.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor mentioned that both countries can benefit from each other’s strengths, as they have maintained good relations for the past three decades since establishing diplomatic ties in 1992. Furthermore, the establishment of Kazakhstan’s capital Astana and Putrajaya as sister cities in 1996 has strengthened bilateral cooperation.
“In Sabah, our government follows our developmental roadmap, the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya, and we are committed to ensuring growth,” he stated during the “Explore Kazakhstan – Business Opportunities for Sabah” presentation on Friday (Sept 22).
He emphasized that Sabah’s development agenda focuses on three pillars: agriculture, industry, and tourism. The state also prioritizes investing in people, enhancing connectivity, and promoting green sustainability.
“I hope that today’s ‘Explore Kazakhstan’ event will provide guests and participants with a glimpse of what your country has to offer, opening the way for bilateral trade partnerships,” he added.
The Chief Minister’s speech was delivered by state Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew.
Also in attendance were Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Malaysia Bulat Sugurbayev and First Secretary, Embassy of Kazakhstan in Malaysia Arsen Turgambayev, among others.
Notably, this is Kazakhstan’s first country business presentation in Sabah.
Hajiji expressed Sabah’s openness to business, emphasizing its strategic location within the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) in Southeast Asia.
“In other words, we are in the middle of where the action is,” he said. Sabah’s trade reached a record high of RM118.1 billion in 2022 compared to RM87.2 billion the previous year.
“We would certainly like to attract more investors to Sabah and establish mutually beneficial business deals,” Hajiji added.
Hajiji also expressed pleasure in Kazakhstan’s acceptance of Sabah’s invitation to participate in the ongoing Sabah International Expo 2023 (SIE2023), which involves over 20 countries.
“I hope you have found the Expo and the Business Luncheon Talk informative and useful, and will share these insights with Kazakhstan investors interested in exploring business opportunities in Sabah,” he stated.
Kazakhstan’s new economic agenda focuses on investing in infrastructure and logistics along the International North-South Transport Corridor, which connects India and Europe, and the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor, linking China and Europe through the Caspian Sea.
Due to its strategic location at the intersection of Asia and Europe, Kazakhstan holds significant importance as a transportation and trade hub. Over 80% of goods traveling from China and Central Asia to Europe, by volume, pass through Kazakhstan.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
