ISLAMABAD:Pakistan and Malaysia agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, investment, defence and agriculture. Both countries also reiterated their strong positions on regional issues such as Gaza and Kashmir.

Following one-on-one meeting and delegation-level talks, two prime ministers held joint press conference, highlighting their commitment to strengthening collaboration in areas of mutual interest and addressing regional and international matters.

As part of their efforts to boost bilateral trade, both leaders announced that Pakistan would export halal meat worth $ 200 million annually, along with 100,000 metric tonnes of Basmati rice to Malaysia.

Total trade volume between Malaysia and Pakistan currently stands at $ 1.4 billion, encompassing products such as palm oil, textiles, chemicals, electronics and apparel. Pakistan is Malaysia’s third-largest trading partner in South Asia.

Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed confidence in quality of Pakistan’s exports. He assured that Pakistan would uphold highest standards for its products. Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim assured Pakistan that any discrepancies in import of Pakistani rice would be addressed.

PM Shehbaz described their meeting as “Wonderful,” noting that they discussed enhancing trade and investment, as well as exploring further cooperation in defence, tourism, agriculture, green energy, skilled labour, and youth empowerment.

He stressed both countries’ commitment to elevating trade and investment cooperation to new heights, envisioning bright future for two nations. On defence and security cooperation, he expressed Pakistan’s readiness to further strengthen ties. He called for an immediate ceasefire, describing situation as “Heart-wrenching” and “Heart-breaking.”

Regarding Kashmir, he reiterated Pakistan’s stance, condemning denial of Kashmiris’ right to self-determination despite decades of sacrifices. PM Ibrahim stated that both countries had reached significant agreements, with follow-up discussions planned at upcoming joint commission meeting in Kuala Lumpur to ensure swift implementation. He announced opening of Malaysian trade office in Karachi to bolster economic cooperation.

He expressed Malaysia’s interest in hiring more skilled labour, particularly in sectors like IT, artificial intelligence and semiconductors, identifying Pakistan as potential source of this talent.

Additionally, he confirmed Malaysia’s commitment to importing 100,000 tonnes of Basmati rice from Pakistan. Two leaders witnessed signing of several Memorandums of Understanding and Letter of Cooperation.

These agreements included MoU between Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation on trade cooperation, an MoU between Pakistan-Malaysia Business Council and Malaysia-Pakistan Business Council for cooperation in Halal trade.

Letter of Cooperation between Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission was also signed.

During visit.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 04 2024

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