KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 — Malaysia is strengthening its energy partnership with Turkmenistan to unlock new commercial opportunities for companies, particularly in higher-value oil and gas services, technology and specialised engineering, said Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir.

“Our companies are ready to work with Turkmenistan partners not only as suppliers, but as long-term collaborators committed to local value creation,” the minister said in his remarks during the opening plenary of the Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan 2026 in Ashgabat.

The three-day OGT 2026, which began on Oct 21, brought together 20 Malaysian oil and gas services and equipment (OGSE) companies, including Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), according to a statement by the Economy Ministry today.

Of these, seven exhibitors were at the inaugural Malaysia Pavilion, under the National OGSE Industry Blueprint 2021-2030’s International Market Access Programme led by Malaysia Petroleum Resources Corporation (MPRC).

The ministry said the engagement builds on Petronas’ 30-year presence in Turkmenistan and follows the formalisation of the Framework Agreement on Long-Term Cooperation for the Development of Hydrocarbon Resources in Turkmenistan during Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s official visit in June 2026.

“Industry cooperation is set to be further strengthened through a memorandum of understanding between MPRC and (Turkmenistan’s national oil company) State Concern Turkmennebit, scheduled to be signed today, to facilitate collaboration in OGSE in Turkmenistan,” it said.

As part of the visit, Akmal Nasrullah is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Turkmenistan’s Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Guvanch Agajanov, State Minister and SC Turkmengas chairman Maksat Babayev, Finance and Economy Minister Mammetguly Astanagulov, and the leadership of Dragon Oil and Eni Turkmenistan Ltd to strengthen bilateral economic ties and explore strategic collaboration.

“These engagements will build the momentum for the Malaysia-Turkmenistan Energy Cooperation Roundtable, bringing together Malaysian OGSE companies and Turkmenistan’s key stakeholders, including Turkmengas and Turkmennebit.

“The roundtable is expected to translate shared interests into concrete cooperation focusing on high-value services, technology transfer and skills development, in line with the 13th Malaysia Plan (2026-2030),” the ministry added. — Bernama