M'SIAN PM: NEED TO MAINTAIN HIGHER LEVEL OF COOPERATION IN DIFFICULT TIMES

ASHGABAT (Turkmenistan), Nov 19 (Bernama) -- In this difficult time,
developing countries need to keep a higher level of cooperation among them in
order to maintain economic growth and sustain development, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
said Wednesday.

In this context, the Malaysian Prime Minister believed that Malaysia and
Turkmenistan were well placed because they upheld the policy of fostering close
and binding relations with friendly countries.

"The policy is indeed necessary to build mutual confidence and develop
constructive cooperation," he said in his opening remarks during the
Malaysia-Turkmenistan delegation meeting at the Cabinet of Ministers Building,
here.

He said the business leaders of both nations needed to interact as the
private sector was the real engine of growth.

The good relations that existed between both governments would enable
business activities to flourish between the two countries, he said.

Abdullah said Malaysia and Turkmenistan should collaborate not only in the
arena of politics and diplomacy for international peace and security.

"We should also cooperate in the areas of economy and finance so that we
can benefit from the enhancement of trade and investment relations."

The prime minister said he would encourage Malaysian businessmen to come
and see for themselves the opportunities available in Turkmenistan and on the
other hand, hoped that Turkmenistan businessmen would invest in Malaysia
too.

The value of trade between Malaysia and Turkmenistan was now small,
amounting to only US$10 million but with commitment and determination on both
sides, the situation could be improved quickly, he said.

In line with the spirit of South-South cooperation, he said, it was also
Malaysia's desire to promote the value of self-reliance.


He said the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP), Malaysia's
modest contribution to capacity-building in developing countries, particularly
in human capital development, had benefited 33 officials from
Turkmenistan.

Abdullah also mentioned the warm welcome that the government of
Turkmenistan had extended to Petronas, the Malaysian oil company, to do business
here.

But Petronas too had made some contributions to capacity-building of the
local people and had sponsored more than 100 students from Turkmenistan to study
at the Petronas University of Technology in Malaysia, he said.

"There is tremendous potential for bilateral cooperation in other
areas such as tourism and infrastructure development."

Malaysia, he said, was willing to share her experience in the development
of highways, housing, hotels, power supply and telecommunications with
Turkmenistan as well as participate in the country's infrastructure development
on the basis of genuine partnership, which would be rewarding for all
parties.

-- BERNAMA