ISLAMABAD, Oct 4 — There is a clear commitment from the leadership of Malaysia and Pakistan to resolve any issues that could impede the flourishing trade and commerce between the two countries, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Speaking at a business dialogue event attended by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Anwar noted that the commitment to enhance trade ties between Kuala Lumpur and Islamabad is currently at the highest level within both governments.
“What’s important is that, in any investment portfolio, the policies are clear, and there is commitment and leadership. Regarding the other problems, the commitment is to try to resolve them,” he said during a business dialogue here today, which was attended by representatives from both Malaysian and Pakistani companies.
Among those present at the event were Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan.
Anwar acknowledged that Pakistan excels in certain areas, particularly in traditional sciences, and has a longer history of industrial and scientific development compared to Malaysia, which is still emerging in these fields.
Conversely, he highlighted that Malaysia is regarded as a regional hub for the semiconductor industry.
Anwar identified several areas for potential collaboration between Kuala Lumpur and Islamabad, specifically in the halal meat and halal industry, rice production and expanding flight routes to boost tourism between the two nations.
He also announced that the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) will open an office in Karachi, Pakistan, next month, underscoring Malaysia’s commitment to enhancing bilateral trade.
In 2023, trade between Malaysia and Pakistan was valued at RM6.43 billion, with Malaysia exporting RM4.39 billion in goods to Pakistan and importing RM2.04 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of RM2.34 billion in Malaysia’s favour, according to the Malaysian High Commission in Pakistan.
For the first seven months of this year, trade between the two countries totalled RM5.10 billion.
Both countries signed the Malaysia-Pakistan Closer Economic Partnership Agreement in 2008, which covers trade in goods, investments and technical cooperation.
Meanwhile, Anwar was conferred the Nishan-e-Pakistan, the highest civilian award of Pakistan by the country’s president Asif Ali Zardari in a ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr, the Presidential Palace here yesterday.
“(The award) is the highest recognition from the Pakistani government for Anwar’s leadership in fostering and enhancing bilateral relations between Malaysia and Pakistan,” Malaysian High Commissioner to Pakistan Datuk Mohammad Azhar Mazlan told Malaysian media.
Among others who attended the award ceremony were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Zafrul and other members of the Malaysian delegation.
After the ceremony, President Zardari hosted the Malaysian prime minister to a state banquet at the Presidential Palace.
The government of Pakistan had also conferred the award to then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 2019.
Malaysia and Pakistan established diplomatic relations in 1957 when Malaysia gained its independence.
In 2019, Malaysia and Pakistan signed a Strategic Partnership accord.
Source: selangorjournal.my
by 
Leave a Comment