Led by Minister of Industry and New Technologies Sherali Kabir, a Tajik delegation is on a tour of Southeast Asian nations within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to bolster economic and investment cooperation, according to the press service of the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of Tajikistan (MoINT).
The delegation members reportedly include Sulton Rahimzoda, Chairman of the State Committee on Investment and State-owned Property Management (GosKomInvest); Firouz Sharifzoda, First Deputy Chairman of the National Bank of Tajikistan; and Ardasher Qodiri, Tajikistan's Ambassador to Malaysia.
Meetings with the Malaysian government
The first day of the visit, November 17, began with a meeting with Tunku Ali Redhauddin, the Senior Prince of the State of Negeri Sembilan. Discussions reportedly focused on expanding bilateral cooperation in areas such as the economy, culture, and other key sectors. The Tajik delegation invited the Malaysian side to visit Tajikistan to explore the country’s economic potential.
On November 18, the delegation met with Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister, Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah Haji Yusof, in Kuala Lumpur. The talks centered on strengthening trade and economic relations, increasing investments, and collaborating in fields like industry, energy, artificial intelligence, and digitalization of the economy. Opportunities for Malaysian investments in agriculture and other critical sectors of Tajikistan were also discussed.
The Tajik delegation held further negotiations with Malaysia's Minister of Finance, Amir Hamzah Azizan, focusing on cooperation in financial and banking sectors, investment protection, and sustainable economic growth. Representatives from major Malaysian funds, including KWSP, PNB, Khazanah, and Tabung Haji, participated in the discussions.
Additionally, a meeting was held with Malaysia's First Deputy Minister of Investments, International Trade, and Industry, Liew Chin Tong. Topics included attracting foreign investments, creating favorable business conditions, and implementing export support programs. Key Malaysian organizations such as MATRADE and MIDA were introduced to the Tajik delegation.
Business forum and talks with NASDAQ
The delegation participated in the Tajikistan-Malaysia Business Forum, where Minister Sherali Kabir emphasized the strategic importance of bilateral partnerships. He highlighted Tajikistan’s potential in hydropower, mining, and renewable energy. On the sidelines of the forum, meetings were held with leaders of major Malaysian companies involved in investments, industry, and finance.
The day concluded with a meeting with Virginia Barbot, Managing Director of NASDAQ for Southeast Asia. The discussions explored opportunities to attract investments in Tajikistan’s IT and mining sectors, as well as the potential listing of Tajik companies on NASDAQ. The development of green energy and the extraction of critical minerals were also key topics of the meeting.
