Partnership is a guarantee of progress. It will be even more important if it is based on mutual benefit. That is why the head of our state is working tirelessly to exchange experience and establish mutually beneficial cooperation with developed countries. For the same purpose, the Uzbek delegation headed by our President is currently holding intensive negotiations in Malaysia.

  Diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and Malaysia were established on May 7, 1992. Since then, the two countries have been actively cooperating in the political, economic, cultural and educational spheres.

  Malaysia is one of the first countries to recognize the independence of Uzbekistan. High-level official visits have been made to strengthen friendly relations between the two countries. In particular, the leaders of Uzbekistan have made official visits to Malaysia several times, and the leaders of Malaysia have also visited Uzbekistan and held talks on expanding cooperation.

  This visit to Malaysia was clearly marked by questions and suggestions that are beneficial for the prosperity of our country. Our President first visited the Malaysian Islamic Arts Museum. This museum, bearing the seal of Mazi, was established in 1998 and houses more than 10,000 pieces of Islamic art. The permanent exhibition presents a unique collection of Quranic manuscripts, ceramics and jewelry, weapons and models of buildings, jewelry, coins and other exhibits. It is also noteworthy that the Head of State, while viewing the exhibits, emphasized the importance of conducting joint research and organizing exhibitions, as well as expanding scientific and cultural exchanges.

  As part of the official visit, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim took part in a joint business forum in Kuala Lumpur.

  We were all pleased to hear that the event was attended by more than 200 heads of leading companies, investment, banking and financial institutions of the two countries, including representatives of Malaysian companies Petronas, MMC Corporation, DRB-Hicom, Gemilang Coachwork, Proton, Gentari, Five Petroleum, YTL Corporation, Sunview Group, KPJ Healthcare, MK Tron, Mimos, Sparco Engineering, Tradewinds Group, Kapital DX, Gamuda, Westports, Khazanah, EXIM Bank of Malaysia and many others.

  In his speech, the Head of our state noted that during the productive negotiations held today at the highest level, an agreement was reached on the beginning of a two-year period of innovative development of the Uzbek-Malaysian partnership, priority areas of practical cooperation were identified. "Our goal is to bring our relations to the level of strategic partnership," our President said in his speech.

  Malaysia is an important innovative and technological partner of Uzbekistan. In this regard, the head of our state outlined a number of priority areas for the further development of Uzbek-Malaysian business cooperation. First of all, this concerns the expansion of long-term cooperation in the electronic and semiconductor industries. It was noted that projects in the field of artificial intelligence, digital technologies and data centers can be implemented.

  The rapid development of the construction industry increases the demand for innovative and environmentally friendly building materials. The President of Uzbekistan called on Malaysian companies to actively participate in the organization of modern production in the regions of our country and large-scale creative work.

  The prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation in the healthcare sector were noted. These include the construction of modern clinics and the production of innovative pharmaceutical products based on Malaysia's best practices.

  The head of our state invited leading Malaysian companies and banks to take an active part in the privatization of state assets in the telecommunications, energy, banking, financial and other sectors of Uzbekistan.

  In addition, it was noted that there is great potential for cooperation in such areas as geology, education, transport and pilgrimage tourism. The creation of the Rectors' Forum was of particular importance in terms of the level and effectiveness of education. It would not be a mistake to say that this created an opportunity to exchange experiences in various fields of science.

  In conclusion of his speech, the head of our state proposed holding the next joint business forum in Uzbekistan this fall.

   A joyful and proud aspect of this visit is that the Speaker of the Malaysian Parliament came out to greet our president, which, according to our Malaysian colleagues, was an unprecedented event in the protocol practice of this country. In addition, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim accompanied our President Shavkat Mirziyoyev throughout the day at all official events and meetings. He even personally visited the residence allocated to the President of Uzbekistan to continue the dialogue, and then they drove together in one car to the Petronas headquarters, where they held a meeting with the company's management, said the presidential press secretary Sherzod Asadov. This is a sign of trust in mutually beneficial cooperation, love and devotion to the President and his people.

Rakhimboy Dzhumaniyezov,

Professor of "TIIAME" NRU, member of the Union of Writers and Journalists of Uzbekistan