Bishkek: Kyrgyz Republic is committed to deepening comprehensive cooperation with Malaysia and advancing their partnership to the next level, President Sadyr Zhaparov said Wednesday. He highlighted that bilateral relations between the Kyrgyz Republic and Malaysia are now at an all-time high, further strengthened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to Bishkek in May 2024.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Zhaparov, speaking at a joint news conference with Prime Minister Anwar during his two-day official visit, mentioned that they had held productive discussions on a wide range of issues, aiming to elevate bilateral cooperation. ‘Our meeting has reached fruitful negotiation, strengthened the friendship, and paving way for mutually beneficial projects between both countries,’ he stated.
The meeting witnessed the signing of several important documents, demonstrating commitments by both countries to enhance cooperation in politics, trade, and investment as well as cultural and people-to-people relations. Zhaparov noted that the Kyrgyz Republic, located in Central Asia, offers unique opportunities for Malaysian investors, particularly in sectors such as energy, green technology, tourism, agriculture, the digital economy, and banking.
He invited Malaysian investors to invest in energy projects, emphasizing the country’s potential for sustainable and strategic green energy cooperation, given that 90 percent of its electricity is generated by hydropower. The President also showed interest in expanding academic exchanges and joint programmes with Malaysia and proposed increasing inter-parliamentary dialogue to strengthen institutional cooperation.
Meanwhile, a joint statement released after the meeting noted that Zhaparov reiterated the Kyrgyz Republic’s full support for Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025. Both leaders explored the possibility of the Kyrgyz Republic acceding to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. They also acknowledged the progress status of the proposed ‘ASEAN + Central Asia’ format, which is under review by ASEAN Member States.
In 2024, the Kyrgyz Republic was Malaysia’s fourth-largest trading partner among Central Asian countries, with total bilateral trade valued at RM40 million (US$8.74 million). Malaysia’s primary exports to the Kyrgyz Republic included electrical and electronic products, palm oil and palm oil-based agricultural products, machinery, equipment, and parts. Its key imports from the Kyrgyz Republic comprised chemicals and chemical products, electrical and electronic products, and processed food.
Diplomatic relations between Malaysia and the Kyrgyz Republic were established on May 21, 1992, following the Kyrgyz Republic’s independence after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.