09/12/2011 (Bernama) - Malaysians are invited to participate in various business sectors in Kazakhstan, particularly halal food and Islamic finance.

Kazakhstan Ambassador to Malaysia B. Atamkulov said the two sectors offered huge growth potential as the majority of the country's population were Muslims.

Atamkulov also said he would like to see Malaysian products flowing directly into Kazakhstan rather than getting them from third parties.

"We are now getting Malaysian-made products such as rubber, palm oil and furniture from other countries. We hope to get Malaysian products directly," he told a press conference after attending the Kazakhstan-Malaysia Business Conference here Thursday.

Atamkulov also said many Malaysian companies have started negotiations to operate in Kazakhstan, particularly in the oil and gas and pharmaceutical industries.

"There are also opportunities for Proton cars to be sold in Kazakhstan. We are ready to assemble Proton cars in Kazakhstan. Our government gives special treatment to the company," he said.

He also said Kazakhstan businessmen were keen to venture into projects in the Iskandar Malaysia region in Johor and undertake infrastructure projects in Malaysia.

"The future between the two countries is tremendous. We are very comfortable about one another, making it easier to get into more deals," he added.

Today's event saw the launch of the Kazakhstan-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Melewar Integrated Engineering Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Melewar Industrial Group Bhd, and Kazmy Steel Company for a RM178 million investment for a MycroSmelt plant in Almaty, Kazakhstan.