PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is seeking to expand business opportunities for its oil and gas services and equipment (OGSE) companies in Turkmenistan through deeper energy cooperation and industry partnerships.
Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the initiative aims to position Malaysian companies as long-term partners in Turkmenistan’s energy sector, particularly in higher-value services, technology and specialised engineering.
Speaking at the opening plenary of the Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan (OGT 2026) in Ashgabat on Oct 22, he said 20 Malaysian OGSE companies, including Petronas, were participating in the event, with seven exhibitors featured at the inaugural Malaysia Pavilion.
The pavilion is part of the International Market Access Programme under the National OGSE Industry Blueprint 2021-2030, led by Malaysia Petroleum Resources Corporation (MPRC), an agency under the Ministry of Economy.
“Our companies are ready to work with Turkmenistan partners not only as suppliers, but as long-term collaborators committed to local value creation,” he said.
The initiative builds on Petronas’ 30-year presence in Turkmenistan and follows the Framework Agreement on Long-Term Cooperation for the Development of Hydrocarbon Resources in Turkmenistan, formalised during Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s official visit in June 2026.
Industry cooperation is also expected to be strengthened through a memorandum of understanding between MPRC and State Concern Turkmennebit, scheduled to be signed on Oct 22 to facilitate collaboration in the OGSE sector.
Akmal Nasrullah is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with senior Turkmenistan government officials to strengthen economic ties and explore collaboration in energy and oil and gas.
He also held meetings with Dragon Oil and Eni Turkmenistan Ltd, which have established investments and operations in the country’s offshore oil and gas sector, to explore business linkages with Malaysian companies.
The engagements will lead into the Malaysia-Turkmenistan Energy Cooperation Roundtable, which will bring together Malaysian OGSE companies and key Turkmenistan stakeholders, including Turkmengas and Turkmennebit.
The roundtable aims to translate shared interests into cooperation in high-value services, technology transfer and skills development, in line with the 13th Malaysia Plan (2026-2030).
The ministry said Malaysia’s participation in OGT 2026 reflects its commitment to strengthening bilateral economic relations and expanding strategic cooperation with Turkmenistan.