He said this was conveyed to him by Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov in private talks during his official visit here.

“Both Malaysia and Uzbekistan are fully aware that at the international level, Islam promotes peace and friendship not only between Muslims but Muslims and non-Mulsims as well.

“At the domestic or national level, Islam Hadhari promotes good governance as well as economic and social progress,” he said during a joint press conference with Karimov at the latter’s official residence.

More than 80% of Uzbekistan’s 27 million people are Muslims.

Abdullah, who is on a three-day official visit to Uzbekistan, said Kuala Lumpur was more than happy to accept Uzbek scholars to undertake further research and discussion and to experience first-hand Islam Hadhari as practised in Malaysia.

Karimov said Uzbekistan fully supported Malaysia’s Islam Hadhari concept and described Kuala Lumpur as a reliable friend.

“Malaysia has proven to be one of the most successful nations in the world. You (Malaysia) have developed at a rapid pace in the past 30 to 40 years and we are extremely happy to be associated with you,” he said.

Both leaders had earlier witnessed the signing of three memoranda of understanding, namely on cooperation in the fields of science and technology, on higher education and to develop human capital in the oil and gas industry.

Also signed was a protocol to enable Petronas to start oil and gas exploration work in the Sukhanski region. Both leaders also agreed that bilateral trade between both counties which currently stood at RM130mil should be enhanced.

Imports from Uzbekistan totalled some 40.3 million Malaysian ringgit (about US$11.077 million) with a large portion coming from cotton and air services through Uzbek Airways.

Karimov said although Petronas has to date invested some US$750 million in the republic’s oil sector, Malaysian companies could take part in the country’s manufacturing and telecommunication sectors.

Abdullah said Kuala Lumpur could be Tashkent’s gateway to South East Asia and in return make Uzbekistan its conduit to the former CIS states and Central Asia.