UKRAINE ambassador to Malaysia Olexander Nechytaylo is interested to establish stronger ties with Penang and has requested Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow to recommend an honorary consul to him.
“Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi and Penang are well-known to Ukrainians,” Nechytaylo told Chow during his courtesy call at the latter’s office in Komtar today.
“There has been a growing number of Ukrainians in Penang and that’s why we’ve identified Penang as the first place (in Malaysia) for us to have an honorary consul.”
Nechytaylo had earlier visited Luxoft, a Ukrainian leading software development and IT solutions company at the Wawasan Open University in Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah. There are about a dozen Ukrainians and some locals working at Luxoff.
Chow, who was receptive to Nechytaylo’s proposal for a consulate, shared with Nechytaylo the state government’s plans to improve digital connectivity, transport system, manufacturing, tourism and service industry.
“The state government has a business unit dealing with telecommunications. Much more has to be done to have the best internet service in the country,” Chow said.
Towards the end of the visit, Nechytaylo presented Chow a Ukrainian art painting and a box of Ukrainian chocolates while Chow reciprocated by presenting him a pewter miniature trishaw as a souvenir.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Nur Afiqah Zainudi