TWENTY Malaysian oil and gas services and equipment (OGSE) companies are pursuing new business opportunities in Turkmenistan as Malaysia steps up efforts to expand the industry’s international reach beyond its established markets.
Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said Malaysian firms were ready to build long-term partnerships with Turkmenistan’s energy players, particularly in specialised engineering, technology and higher-value services.
“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 at the opening plenary of the Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan 2026 conference in Ashgabat today.
Seven of the 20 participating Malaysian companies are exhibiting at the inaugural Malaysia Pavilion, organised under the International Market Access Programme led by Malaysia Petroleum Resources Corporation (MPRC).
A memorandum of understanding between MPRC and Turkmenistan’s state oil company, Turkmennebit, is scheduled to be signed today to facilitate cooperation between Malaysian OGSE firms and the Central Asian country’s energy industry.
The initiative builds on Petronas’ 30-year presence in Turkmenistan and follows a framework agreement on long-term cooperation in developing the country’s hydrocarbon resources, formalised during Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s official visit in June.
Akmal is also scheduled to meet senior Turkmenistan officials to explore broader economic cooperation, particularly in energy and oil and gas.
He has also held discussions with Dragon Oil and Eni Turkmenistan Limited, major international operators in the country’s offshore oil and gas sector, to explore business links for Malaysian companies.
The engagements will lead into the Malaysia-Turkmenistan Energy Cooperation Roundtable, bringing together Malaysian firms and key Turkmenistan stakeholders, including Turkmengas and Turkmennebit.
The roundtable is expected to identify concrete opportunities in specialised services, technology transfer and workforce skills development, supporting the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan for 2026–2030. - October 22, 2026