GEORGE TOWN, Aug 24  -- Ukraine has established a consular office in Penang, the first outside Kuala Lumpur, in conjunction with the country’s Independence Day, today.

Its ambassador to Malaysia, Olexander Nechytaylo said this represented Ukraine’s strong commitment to continuously expand friendly relations with Malaysia, emphasising further development of trade, investment and cultural cooperation.

"Our economies are mutually complementary in so many ways. Ukraine has always been among the top importers of palm oil in Europe. 

"We stand firm on keeping our market free from any restrictions on this commodity. Additionally, in the first six months of 2020, our grain exports to Malaysia quadrupled, reaching almost US$50 million," he said in a statement, here, today.

Nechytaylo said Penang was the first state he visited since becoming ambassador to Malaysia and he found the state to be a magnet for tourism and business.

"Penang has the second largest number of Ukrainians living in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur and it is timely to have a consular office to serve the people here," he said.

Nechytaylo added that the Ukraine Consulate in Penang would be headed by the Honorary Consul, Datuk Seri Chuah Kim Seah.

Earlier, the opening of the consular office was attended by Penang Deputy Chief Minister II, Prof Dr P. Ramasamy; Che Puan Besar Kedah, Hajah Haminah Hamidun; Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland, Datuk Seri Suppiah Manikam and Penang Port Commission chairman, Datuk Tan Teik Cheng.

Meanwhile, Chuah who was present at the ceremony, said many of his business partners had expressed their interest in visiting Ukraine but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the mission had to be postponed.

"Many Malaysian companies are willing to venture into the Ukraine market for business and into stem cell technology," said Chuah, a chartered accountant and senior partner in Chuah & Associates Chartered  Accountants.

-- BERNAMA