KUCHING: Tremendous opportunities can be explored in various sectors for both Sarawak and Kazakhstan to grow together through collaborations and investments.
Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Malaysia, Bulat Sugurbayev said Sarawak has a lot of similarities with Kazakhstan not only in the economic structure but in mineral sources, agriculture and culture.
He mentioned that the republic could be a food basket for Malaysia in general, and Sarawak, in particular.
“In the agriculture industry in our country, we comply with JAKIM’s halal standard and we could be a food basket for your country and Sarawak.
“Moreover, we could invest into your agriculture for development and it also helps in our aims to be an exporter because the Kazakhs have been doing that for ages, which is part of our culture,” said Sugurbayev.
He said this in a press conference after the officiating the first ever Kazakhstan Business Opportunity Forum at the Hotel Grand Margherita, today.
In addition, Sugurbayev said that the tourism sector in Sarawak can be developed further in terms of getting more visitors here, increasing flight frequency and connectivity.
“I believe tourism should be the next stage of our progression here because Sarawak is a beautiful place that should be developed.
“It could be that we can make a direct flight connection from Kazakhstan to Sarawak and back, which should be established … the AirAsia branch is in Astana (capital city of Kazakhstan).
“The direct flight connectivity between Malaysia and Kazakhstan is still in discussion. We are looking forward to the project to start to connect our people,” he added.
Furthermore, Malaysia as a trading partner, has invested around RM1 billion in Kazakhstan.
He said the trade has been developing since Malaysia has a Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) office in Almaty.
“This means we are one of the important trade partners, a hub of trade for our country. Not just Malaysia, but also throughout the Southeast Asian region too.
“We can become your trading hub as we develop railroad connectivity all around because we are a landlocked country.
“We have big land and our country is connected to many countries to China, Europe, Asia as well as to Russia,” said Sugurbayev.
He added with the connection in Kazakhstan, the country can serve Malaysian businesses as a hub to reach to other markets at international level.
