BILATERAL relations between Kuala Lumpur and Tashkent will be taken to the next level with the announcement of up to RM700 million in investments for oil and gas projects undertaken by Petronas in Uzbekistan within the next three years.

This latest injection of funds by the Malaysian oil company will be announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who will arrive here today at freezing temperatures of between -4ºC and 6ºC for a three-day working visit, aimed at strengthening ties between Malaysia and the former Soviet Republic.

Abdullah will lead a high-powered delegation that includes Ministers in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz and Tan Sri Amirsham Abdul Aziz, Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

Also in the delegation is Petronas president and chief executive officer Tan Sri Mohd Hassan Merican.

After visiting Uzbekistan, the prime minister’s will proceed on a two-day working trip to neighbouring Turkmenistan on Wednesday.

In Uzbekistan, Abdullah will have a private meeting with President Islam Karimov. Both leaders are expected to discuss measures to promote trade, education, tourism and investment.

Abdullah and Islam will sign a memorandum of understanding on increased cooperation in the fields of science and technology, and higher education. The Uzbek president will also host Abdullah and the Malaysian delegation to a state banquet at the presidential palace on Monday.

A Foreign Ministry statement said that the prime minister will meet the Malaysian community for tea on Monday, after a briefing by Hassan and Petronas officials.

Petronas Carigali Overseas Sdn Berhad (PCOSB) opened an office in Tashkent on April 2006.

Petronas and its counterpart, NHC Uzbekneftegaz, had begun discussing cooperation in the oil and gas industry since 2004.

More in tomorrow's NST