Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Economy Akmal Nasrullah bin Mohd Nasir delivered a speech at the opening of the plenary session of the Conference “Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan – 2026” (OGT 2026), being held under the motto: “Energy. Partnership. Progress.”

“For over three decades, we have built a partnership rooted in mutual trust, practical cooperation and shared goals. Our long-term presence in Turkmenistan – through the PETRONAS Company, which has operated here since 1996 – has contributed not only to hydrocarbon production but also to the development of local capacity, infrastructure and the training of a skilled workforce for Turkmenistan’s energy sector,” the Minister noted.

He recalled that in June of that year, he had been part of a delegation that had visited Turkmenistan to mark the 30th anniversary of PETRONAS’s operations in the country. During a bilateral meeting between the Prime Minister of Malaysia and the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the bilateral relations, with a particular focus on the oil and gas industry. At that time, a Framework Agreement on long-term cooperation in the development of Turkmenistan’s hydrocarbon resources was also concluded between the governments of Malaysia and Turkmenistan.

The speaker noted that, in light of this, Malaysia is represented at the OGT 2026 exhibition by a high-level delegation comprising more than 15 Malaysian companies that provide services and equipment to the oil and gas sector, including seven participants featured within the Malaysian pavilion.

“Our presence here testifies to Malaysia’s long-term commitment to being a reliable partner to Turkmenistan. We strive to ensure that this partnership continues to deliver tangible benefits to Turkmenistan – through investments, job creation, technology transfer and the development of local supply chains,” the Minister continued.

He emphasized that Turkmenistan is at a crucial stage in the development of its energy sector. The exploration and development of new hydrocarbon fields will require world-class engineering solutions, effective project management, offshore operations and specialized technical services. These processes present significant opportunities for cooperation in areas where Malaysian companies hold strong positions, including engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning for both offshore and onshore facilities; operations and maintenance; drilling support; well services and production intensification; digital technologies; industrial safety and environment protection; and personnel training and their technical certification.

“The companies, accompanying me today, possess precisely these competencies. They are ready to cooperate with their Turkmen counterparts not merely as suppliers, but as long-term partners committed to creating value within the country,” the Minister noted.

“Malaysia and Turkmenistan have already demonstrated what can be achieved through a long-term partnership. The next phase should be even more ambitious: by combining Malaysian expertise with Turkmenistan’s potential, we can deliver world-class energy projects, build local capacity and ensure prosperity for the governments and peoples of our two friendly countries,” Akmal Nasrullah bin Mohd Nasir stressed.