Pakistan seeks increased trade with Malaysia in agriculture sector

ISLAMABAD: A delegation of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) visited National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (NCCIM), said a press release issued here on Sunday.

Zafar Bakhtawari, President ICCI invited President of NCCI of Malaysia to attend ASEAN Capital Chambers Conference in Islamabad which would be organized by ICCI with the aim to promote mutually beneficial relation between Pakistan and ASEAN member states.

ICCI President said that Pakistan produces good quality and affordable agricultural product like Pakistani rice, wheat and mangoes have great demand in Malaysian markets.

He stressed that there is a dire need to increase export of Pakistani products to Malaysia which would also improve bilateral trade relations further between the two countries.

He said that Pakistan has free trade agreement (FTA) with 3 countries that are Malaysia, China and Sri Lanka. Malaysia is the first Muslim country that have signed FTA with Pakistan which also reflects the importance of Malaysia for Pakistan.

He expressed the hope that Malaysia should also help Pakistan in becoming full-dialogue partner in ASEAN regional bloc.

Bakhtawari called on the Malaysian business community to take advantage of the vast Pakistani market and explore investment opportunities in agriculture, construction, livestock and dairy, energy, education, IT and the Halal industry sectors.

Speaking on the occasion, Ali Al-Atas, President of NCCI of Malaysia said that business community of Pakistan should establish a base in Malaysia for attaining maximum trade benefits in ASEAN countries that would not only help boosting trade activities but also prove beneficial for introducing Pakistani products in ASEAN countries.

He said that Pakistani business community to actively participate in international conventions scheduled to be held in Malaysia in forthcoming months and also urged Pakistani businessmen to be more participative in terms of business activities in Malaysia to compete with other competitive markets.

He also accepted the invitation of President of ICCI to attend ASEAN Capital Chambers Conference in Islamabad.