Author: Eldor Tulyakov – 10/02/2025
Uzbekistan and Malaysia: Forging a Strategic Partnership for the Future
Eldor Tulyakov – Executive Director – Development Strategy Centre, Uzbekistan
In an era of evolving geopolitical dynamics and the transformation of the global order, new regional centres of stability are becoming increasingly evident. In this context, Uzbekistan and Malaysia are key players in their respective regions. Both nations share strategic geographic advantages. Uzbekistan, situated at the heart of the Eurasian continent and bordering all Central Asian states, and Malaysia, located at the centre of Southeast Asia, have maritime and land borders connecting them to the broader region. These geographic positions confer significant geopolitical importance upon both countries, enabling them to serve as regional hubs for trade, diplomacy, and economic cooperation.
Despite their geographical distance, under the leadership of their respective heads of state, Uzbekistan and Malaysia are committed to strengthening strategic cooperation across political, economic, social, cultural, and scientific-technical spheres. Innovation and digital transformation are promising collaboration areas with significant potential for advancing mutual interests.
Strengthening Political and Diplomatic Relations
Uzbekistan and Malaysia’s political and diplomatic ties have significantly transformed recently. The historic visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to Uzbekistan in May 2024, followed by the reciprocal visit of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Malaysia in February 2025, the first visit by a Uzbek president in 20 years, has ushered in a new era of bilateral engagement. These high-level exchanges have provided a robust foundation for enhanced cooperation in economic, political, and technological spheres, elevating the relationship to the level of a strategic partnership.
Malaysia was among the first nations to recognize Uzbekistan’s independence, formally establishing diplomatic relations on February 21, 1992. Over the years, both countries have fostered a productive political dialogue and actively engaged in multilateral platforms, including the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The recent official visits have further reinforced intergovernmental collaboration, culminating in the signing the Joint Statement on Deepening Bilateral Cooperation Towards Strategic Partnership by President Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Ibrahim. The leaders have also declared 2025–2026 as a period dedicated to the innovative development of Uzbek-Malaysian relations, underscoring a shared commitment to economic, technological, and educational advancement.
Economic Synergies and Investment Cooperation
Economic cooperation remains a key pillar of Uzbekistan-Malaysia relations. Bilateral trade reached $102.4 million in 2024, with Uzbekistan’s exports amounting to $6 million and imports at $96.4 million, demonstrating considerable potential for diversification. Both leaders have agreed to develop a Preferential Trade Agreement, organize mutual industrial exhibitions, and implement a Program for Industrial Cooperation to foster trade expansion.
A significant milestone in economic collaboration is establishing a special economic zone in the Tashkent Region, managed by a leading Malaysian company. This initiative will catalyse investment inflows, industrial partnerships, and knowledge transfer. Furthermore, Malaysia has strongly supported Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization, reinforcing economic alignment and policy coordination.
Advancing Industrial Innovation and Energy Cooperation
Industrial innovation and energy cooperation represent critical sectors in bilateral relations. Malaysia’s global leadership in semiconductor and electronics manufacturing has positioned it as an ideal partner for Uzbekistan’s ambitions in high-tech industries. Malaysia ranks 6th globally in semiconductor exports, contributing 13% of the world’s microchip testing and assembly market. Recognizing this expertise, Uzbekistan is actively pursuing joint ventures in artificial intelligence, digital technology, and data centres, reinforcing its aspiration to become a regional technology hub.
Furthermore, Uzbekistan and Malaysia collaborate on strategic petrochemical and green energy projects, including polymer production, green hydrogen, and ammonia manufacturing. These initiatives align with both countries’ commitment to sustainable development and energy transition.
Expanding Cooperation in Agriculture and Halal Industry
Agriculture remains a crucial sector for bilateral collaboration. Uzbekistan has expressed strong interest in leveraging Malaysia’s expertise in smart farming and organic food production. Additionally, the development of Halal-certified food chains is expected to enhance Uzbekistan’s access to the broader global Muslim market, positioning both nations as key players in the Halal industry.
Strengthening Cultural and Tourism Exchanges
Tourism and cultural exchange have experienced rapid growth in recent years, particularly pilgrimage tourism. In 2024, approximately 9,500 Malaysian tourists visited Uzbekistan, benefiting from direct flights between the two capitals. Malaysia has demonstrated a strong interest in promoting the “Umrah Plus” initiative, enabling Malaysian pilgrims to visit Uzbekistan’s Islamic heritage sites. This initiative is expected to increase tourism and cultural exchanges between the two nations further.
Institutionalizing Bilateral Cooperation
A Strategic Dialogue Platform for Foreign Ministers has been established to ensure the effective implementation of the agreements reached. This mechanism will be critical for overseeing bilateral initiatives and facilitating ongoing diplomatic engagement.
Looking ahead, both countries will co-host a high-level business forum in Uzbekistan in the fall of 2025, further reinforcing private-sector engagement and investment opportunities. The Samarkand Business Forum of 2024, which resulted in agreements worth $3.3 billion, and the recently concluded business forum in Kuala Lumpur, which attracted executives from over 200 of Malaysia’s leading corporations, including Petronas, MMC Corporation, DRB-Hicom, and Gemilang Coachwork, underscore the increasing momentum in business-to-business cooperation.
Uzbekistan and Malaysia are embarking on a transformative phase of partnership, underpinned by a deep mutual respect, shared economic interests, and long-term strategic objectives. As both nations step into this new chapter, businesses, policymakers, and academia must seize the emerging opportunities.
For stakeholders in industry, trade, and technology, the time is ripe to explore avenues for collaboration. Entrepreneurs and investors are strongly encouraged to leverage the Special Economic Zone and the Preferential Trade Agreement to tap into new markets. Policymakers must sustain the momentum by ensuring the effective execution of agreements and fostering continuous dialogue.
The future of Uzbekistan-Malaysia relations is bright, with both nations poised to emerge as leading partners in innovation, trade, and regional integration. The coming years will be pivotal in shaping a sustainable and mutually beneficial alliance, laying the foundation for broader economic and diplomatic success.