^{The FIC plenary sessions chaired by the President of Uzbekistan and co-chaired by the President of the EBRD. Seated among the FIC Members. are EXIM Bank Malaysia representatives, Board Member Ybhg. Datuk Bahria and Chief Business Officer, Faizah Mustapa.​}


TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN, June 13 (Bernama) -- The Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Berhad (EXIM Bank) has reinforced its commitment to expanding Malaysia’s global trade presence by participating in the Third Plenary Session of the Foreign Investors Council (FIC) in Tashkent. The high-level forum, held on 11June 2025, was co-chaired by His Excellency Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and Her Excellency Odile Renaud-Basso, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The session convened global leaders to explore reforms and opportunities under Uzbekistan’s Vision 2030 economic roadmap.
 
EXIM Bank’s participation is aligned with Malaysia’s National Investment Policy 2030 (NIMP2030), which aims to expand investment beyond traditional markets and support the globalisation of Malaysian small and medium enterprises. As part of its mandate to promote exports, EXIM Bank is focusing on strengthening ties with Central Asia through strategic engagements that benefit both Malaysian businesses and regional partners. This includes exploring structured financing solutions for key partners in Uzbekistan, most notably a proposed collaboration with Joint-Stock Commercial Bank Hamkorbank, Uzbekistan, aimed at supporting Malaysian companies operating in Uzbekistan and Uzbek importers of Malaysian goods.
 
The visit reflects EXIM Bank’s broader commitment to supporting Malaysia’s strategic goals under NIMP2030 by facilitating outbound investments and opening trade corridors into high-growth regions. This engagement also complements Uzbekistan’s Vision 2030, which seeks to attract foreign direct investment, increase regulatory transparency, and advance public-private partnership projects in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, and tourism.
 
In 2024, Malaysia–Uzbekistan bilateral trade rose to USD102.4 million, a 1.6-fold increase since 2017. With 36 Malaysian companies now operating in Uzbekistan, ties between the two countries continue to grow. This was further strengthened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s official visit to Uzbekistan in May 2024, followed by a return visit to Malaysia by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in February 2025. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to elevate bilateral relations to a strategic partnership. 
 
The alignment between Malaysia’s export priorities and Uzbekistan’s development strategy offers meaningful opportunities across several industries. In agriculture, Malaysian exporters and agri-tech firms are well positioned to support Uzbekistan’s land reform initiatives. The electrical and electronics sector sees potential in technology transfer and joint ventures, while Malaysian infrastructure players can contribute to Uzbekistan’s growing portfolio of construction and urban development projects. In the tourism and halal economy space, Malaysian expertise in certification, logistics, and hospitality is increasingly relevant as Uzbekistan promotes its Silk Road heritage through initiatives like Visit Uzbekistan 2025.
 
According to YBhg. Datuk Bahria Mohd Tamil, Deputy Secretary General (Investment & Management) at the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) Malaysia as well as EXIM Bank Board Member, “Through visionary leadership on both sides, Malaysia and Uzbekistan have steadily deepened our strategic cooperation across multiple areas—trade, finance, investment, and infrastructure. EXIM Bank stands ready to extend comprehensive financing solutions that will further empower Malaysian exporters and strengthen inter‑regional linkages.” email
 
Faizah Mustapa, Chief Business Officer of EXIM Bank, added, “Our participation at this high‑level forum signals EXIM Bank’s strategic intent to support Malaysia’s exporters through innovative trade-financing, while exploring joint ventures with Uzbek financial institutions. We applaud Uzbekistan’s reforms to streamline banking regulations and enhance credit facilities for import‑export activities.”
 
EXIM Bank’s strategic presence in Uzbekistan signals more than just participation — it represents a clear intent to unlock new frontiers for Malaysian exporters. By aligning with national visions such as Malaysia’s NIMP2030 and Uzbekistan’s Vision 2030, EXIM Bank is actively shaping cross-border financing pathways that drive high-impact trade, investment, and industrial cooperation. As Malaysia continues to expand its economic footprint into non-traditional markets, EXIM Bank remains a committed enabler of regional growth, long-term partnerships, and inclusive global trade.
 
For more information, visit www.exim.com.my or contact 03-2601 2089. 

ABOUT EXIM BANK
Established on 29 August 1995, Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Berhad (EXIM Bank) provides financing and advisory support to Malaysian businesses pursuing global ventures across diverse sectors. EXIM Bank fulfills its mandate to enhance the competitiveness of Malaysian industries internationally, offering comprehensive banking and insurance products.
 
Effective 1 May 2025, EXIM Bank became a subsidiary of Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (BPMB).


SOURCE: Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Berhad (EXIM Bank)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Azmin Hamzah
Head 
Corporate Communication Department 
Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Berhad (EXIM Bank)
Tel: +603 2601 2371
Fax: +603 2601 2469
Email: azmin@exim.com.my 
Website: www.exim.com.my  

Name: Sheila Shaik 
Senior Manager  
Corporate Communication Department 
Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Berhad (EXIM Bank)
Tel: +603 2601 2383
Fax: +603 2601 2469
Email: sheila.shaik@exim.com.my 
Website : www.exim.com.my

--BERNAMA