KUALA LUMPUR, June 15. /Dunyo IA/. Professor Dr. Fariza Md Sham, FASc, Director of the Malaysian Institute Islam Hadhari (Islamic Civilization), expressed her thoughts on the official visit of Bulgarian President Rumen Radev to Uzbekistan on June 9-11 in an interview for Dunyo IA:

- The visit represents a "resumption" of relations that have been stagnant for nearly two decades.

This high-level visit - the first in 17 years - adds new political significance to the relationship. Uzbekistan is expanding its network of international partners and strengthening its links to Europe, while Bulgaria gains access to the rapidly growing Central Asian market and establishes a strategic position for engaging with other regional economies.

Discussions during the visit reflect a shared commitment to practical cooperation. Key areas of focus include the establishment of trading houses in both capitals, preferential credit lines, and laboratory accreditation to support trade. Sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and IT have been identified as priorities - areas that offer quick capital turnover and shorter investment cycles.

There is also notable interest in launching direct flights and exploring land transport routes. This aligns with a broader trend across Eurasia to shorten logistics chains, and supports Uzbekistan’s ambition to become a regional transit hub.

President Radev’s participation in the Tashkent International Investment Forum signals Bulgaria’s view of Uzbekistan not only as a market, but also as a strategic gateway to the Eurasian Economic Union and the Afghan corridor.

From a broader perspective, the deepening of Uzbek-Bulgarian relations offers a valuable example. It shows how mid-sized economies can move swiftly to establish new trade corridors between the European Union and Central Asia-bypassing geopolitical bottlenecks.

This visit also presents an opportunity to showcase Uzbekistan as a country rich in cultural heritage, intellectual tradition, and historical legacy, as well as a destination with distinctive tourism offerings.

For Malaysia, the growing engagement between Uzbekistan and Bulgaria is noteworthy. It highlights how medium-sized economies are building more flexible and direct trade routes between the EU and Central Asia - avoiding geopolitical roadblocks and expanding regional cooperation.

In conclusion, this visit marks a meaningful step toward deeper, more dynamic cooperation. It reflects a shared vision for economic growth, regional connectivity, and broader international engagement.