TASHKENT: Malaysia is currently evaluating investment potentials in Uzbekistan, as well as encouraging the Central Asian country to source more of Malaysia’s products and services.
Malaysian Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Hendy Assan said with reforms introduced by Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who took office in Dec 2016, the existing warm bilateral relations between the two nations could be further enhanced by exploring the potential in every possible sector.
“The reforms taking place in this country have indeed, brought Uzbekistan to international attention, particularly reforms in the economic sphere.
“As our Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was instrumental in establishing diplomatic relations with Central Asian countries including Uzbekistan, there is renewed focus to invigorate collaboration with Central Asian countries,” he told Bernama in a written statement here today.
Assan noted that Uzbekistan’s tourism had come across as an important sector which contributed to the development of the country’s economy.
“As Uzbekistan is an exceptionally, beautiful country with its diverse and rich culture, historical treasures and amazing natural landscape, its tourism products have great potential to be further developed to become among the best destinations for tourists.
“Tourism is a source of income and generates jobs. For a country to reap the benefits of the tourism industry to develop its economy, it requires the availability of investments to develop the necessary infrastructure and the country’s ability to supply the needs of tourists,” he said when asked to comment on the inaugural ‘International Investment Forum in Tourism’ held in the capital city from Nov 19-21.
Organised by the State Committee for Tourism Development of Uzbekistan, the forum — the first of its kind ever held in the country — is aimed at expanding international cooperation in the tourism industry, attracting direct investments, and promoting the country’s tourism potential among investors.
Bernama was the sole Southeast Asian media representative which attended the forum, at the invitation of the Uzbekistan Government.
On tourism, Assan elaborated there were areas that needed to be improvised and given broad attention by Uzbekistan’s tourism industry.
“The tourism products of Uzbekistan are rapidly improving in terms of infrastructure and facilities. I believe more focus needs to be put on increasing accessibility for tourists to come to Uzbekistan, especially on increasing flight availability.
“For example, there are currently two weekly flights from Kuala Lumpur to Tashkent. With increased flights, there is potential for more Malaysians to visit Uzbekistan,” he said.
The number of Malaysian tourists visiting Uzbekistan increased by 30.2% to 1,069 from January to June this year. For the same period in 2017, there were only 821 visitors from Malaysia.
On the other hand, the number of Uzbeks who came to Malaysia was bigger, with 11,000 visiting the country between 2016 and 2017.
About 240 representatives from international financial institutions, potential investors, tourism organisations, leading tourism companies, experts and other specialists attended the forum along with local entrepreneurs.
The representatives came from the United States, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. — Bernama
