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Petroliam Nasional Berhad is the largest state-owned oil and gas company in Malaysia, known among the world's businessmen. It is more commonly known by its abbreviated name - Petronas!

Founded exactly half a century ago in August 1974, Petronas was established with the aim of nationalizing Malaysia's oil and gas industry. In a relatively short period, this once small company has transformed into one of the leaders of the world energy industry - a global player actively involved in shaping the energy future of the planet.

This year Petronas celebrates its 50th anniversary. This is not only a holiday for the company's employees, but also a certain milestone in the history of cooperation with Turkmenistan, with which the oil and gas giant has been developing partnership relations for 28 years, more than half of the period of its existence.

Interestingly, the parent Petronas named its Turkmen subsidiary a long name - “PETRONAS Charigali (Turkmenistan) Sdn Bhd”.

The ceremonial events held in both countries were a testimony of strong friendly relations and mutual respect. The governments of the two countries highly appreciated Petronas' contribution to the development of Turkmenistan's energy sector and expressed confidence in further successful cooperation.

The 50th anniversary of Petronas was widely celebrated throughout Malaysia. Two torches were carried across the country, just like at the Olympic Games.

They started their journey from the famous Twin Towers, the company's headquarters.

While Petronas has become a symbol of Malaysia's economic growth and technological development, the Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur are one of the most recognizable architectural structures in the world and serve as a calling card not only for the company but also for the entire country.

Both torches embarked on a long journey across Malaysia along different routes - to places where there are facilities belonging to the Petronas system, educational institutions, and the sites where the company is conducting research or other activities.

As the organizers explained, the torches not only traveled, but on the way “fulfilled” cherished dreams and wishes of those who live in the area where the route of the torch procession passed. This happened 50 times in honor of the 50th anniversary of the company.

Having traveled all over the country, the torches returned to their home - the Twin Towers, from where they started their journey.

But they did not stay there for long - soon both torches set off on a new journey. This time - to foreign countries of different continents, where Petronas Company carries out its operations.

I won't ask, “Which country was the first on the path of one of the torches?”

I am sure you have already guessed: “The first foreign country that the Petronas torch visited was Turkmenistan!”

Here we celebrated the anniversary with our usual hospitality - in Ashgabat, then in Kiyanly, and then again in Ashgabat.

The way of the torch on the Turkmen land was as follows.

We met the messenger with the torch at the Ashgabat International Airport, neatly lined up the motorcade and moved towards the large hall “Toý mekany”.

At the same time, numerous participants of the welcoming ceremony watched the movement of the torch online on large monitors.

On that day, the “Toý mekany” hosted not only friends and acquaintances of Petronas employees, but also their colleagues from other companies operating in Turkmenistan, including the Chinese National Oil and Gas Corporation CNPC.

While the guests were watching the movement of the torch and enjoying music and songs performed by various ensembles, the motorcade was already approaching its destination.

Here, near the destination, riders on beautiful Ahalteke horses lined up in a row.

Having received the torch from the hands of the messengers, the riders continued their journey.

However, the riders on Ahalteke horses were only an intermediate link in the movement of the torch across the Turkmen land - right at the entrance they handed the torch to the oldest employee of “PETRONAS Charigali (Turkmenistan) Sdn Bhd”.

Salman Huseynov, who has worked in the company almost since the foundation of the Petronas subsidiary, carried the torch further.

In the hall itself, the torch was received by Mr Ismadi bin Ismail, Chief Executive Officer of “PETRONAS Charigali (Turkmenistan) Sdn Bhd”.

Teenagers and children with flags of countries of different continents where Petronas operates also welcomed the envoy from faraway Malaysia. The first among them was a young representative of Turkmenistan.

Myriads of sparks and glittering confetti illuminated the hall to the applause of the audience.

The logo of Petronas and the number “50” could be seen everywhere - on monitors and banners, on badges and clothes.

It seemed that if you looked into the heart of every employee, you could probably see something similar there.

At least, the Petronas company logo adorned the fingertips of some. This can certainly be seen if you look closely at the fingernail of the ring finger.

Albert Mehtiev, the Chief Director of Stakeholder Relationship Management at “PETRONAS Charigali (Turkmenistan) Sdn Bhd”, said in an interview with ORIENT:

• Of the 50 years of its existence, Petronas has been cooperating with Turkmenistan for most of that time - 28 years. And this is a long history of success based on mutual trust, innovation, and social responsibility.

And when I asked the CEO of “PETRONAS Charigali (Turkmenistan) Sdn Bhd”, Mr. Ismadi bin Ismail, how he thought today's meeting went, he was so overwhelmed with emotion that he couldn't find the words and simply gestured that everything was great!

Overall, the celebration was a success. Everyone was happy. And everyone was eager to capture the moments of this unforgettable meeting for memory.

Moreover, with the torch in hand, which, in its truly global journey, first visited Turkmenistan.

We will continue this topic. And I have enough photos, who wants to get them - write to ORIENT

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Photo: orient.tm