Likewise, Malaysia could use Uzbekistan as a hub for its market in Central Asia, the Malaysian prime minsiter said.

Uzbekistan could look beyond its region to expand its market, he told a joint news conference with Uzbek President Islam Karimov at the Presidential Residence, Durmen, in Tashkent.

Earlier, Abdullah, who is on the second day of a four-day official visit in Tashkent, had a meeting with Karimov before leading their respective delegations in a meeting at Durmen, win Tashkent he was also given an official welcome.

He said the two countries could also explore untapped areas such as agriculture and agro-based industry.

"We have agreed to cooperate in developing agriculture and agro-based industry using technology as a catalyst," Abdullah said.

He said both countries could produce products not only for local consumption but also for comsumption beyond their respective regions, besides establishing air links between them.

Presently only Uzbekistan Airways flies twice a week to Malaysia and cooperates with Malaysia Airlines on a code-sharing basis.

Apart from the current cooperation between the two countries on oil and gas, they could also cooperate on developing the tourism industry as well as using Malaysia as halal hub, Abdullah said.

He also touched on Islam Hadhari, or civilisational Islam, and welcomed scholars from Uzbekistan to visit Malaysia to undertake further research and discussion with their Malaysian counterparts and experience first-hand Islam Hadhari as practised in Malaysia.

He reiterated his statement that Islam Hadhari promoted good governance as well as economic and social progress.

Karimov, in his opening remarks before the bilateral meeting, said Islam Hadhari had the full support of Uzbekistan.

Describing Malaysia as a reliable partner, he said the country had benefited a lot from the assistance given by Malaysia in training its specialised human resources through the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme.

Earlier, both leaders witnessed the signing of four memorandums of understanding on:

• Cooperation in science and technology signed by Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal and Chairman of the Coordination of the Science and Technology Development of Uzbekistan Shavkat Salihov.
• Cooperation in the field of Higher Education signed by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Minister of Higher and Secondary Specialiased Education of Uzbekistan Azimjon Parpijev.
• Cooperation on Human Capital Development in the Oil and Gas Industry signed by Petronas President and Chief Executive Officer Tan Sri Hassan Marican and Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister II Ergash Shaismatov and
• Protocol of Effective Date for Surkhanski Exploration Agreement between Uzbekistan and Malaysia signed by Hassan and Ergash.