Azerbaijan, Malaysia keen on developing business ties
By Sara Rajabova
Baku has hosted an Azerbaijan-Malaysia business forum during the official visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Mohammad Najib Tun Abdul Razak to Azerbaijan.
The event brought together representatives from the companies specialized in the fields of construction, banking, food industry, consulting, healthcare, education, oil and gas.
Addressing the event, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry of Malaysia Datuk Hamim Samuri stressed the importance of the forum in terms of development of business relations between the two countries.
Azerbaijani Minister of Economy and Industry Shahin Mustafayev noted the role of reciprocal visits in expanding relations, adding the official visit of the Malaysian Premier would contribute to developing of cooperation between the two countries. He said relations between Azerbaijan and Malaysia have been developing successfully.
Mustafayev said the high-level political relations have opened wide opportunities for the expansion of economic cooperation.
He went on to note that there was ample potential for further development of the economic ties, adding the expansion of relations between the two countries` businessmen will pave the way for development of Azerbaijan-Malaysia economic cooperation.
Mustafayev also provided an insight into Azerbaijan`s economy, as well as the country`s investment and export opportunities and large-scale regional projects.
He said political and macroeconomic stability was ensured in Azerbaijan, adding the country has turned into the political, economic and cultural hub of the Southern Caucasus.
Mustafayev noted that Azerbaijan was a reliable partner in ensuring the energy security of Europe.
Addressing the forum, Malaysian Premier Abdul Razak praised Azerbaijan`s achievements, noting there were wide opportunities for developing economic relations between the two countries. He said the business forum would contribute to enhancing these ties.
Speaking about the economy of Malaysia, as well as prospects for relations between the two countries, Abdul Razak said there were ample opportunities for boosting cooperation in various fields of economy and increasing the bilateral trade.
He also underlined the importance of cooperation in the fields of culture and education.
Other speakers of the event were President and Group Chief Executive Officer of Sapura Kencana Petroleum Berhad Tan Sri Dato' Seri Shahril bin Shamsuddin and Head of Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) Rufat Mammadov.
During the forum, the two countries` businessmen discussed prospects for economic ties.
Malaysian businessmen expressed their interest in boosting relations with Azerbaijani counterparts.
The diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in April, 1993. Azerbaijan opened its embassy in Malaysia in September, 2005.