Pakistan finalises $200mn meat export plan to Malaysia

A high-level meeting was held to finalise Pakistan’s meat export plan to Malaysia, the Ministry of Commerce said on Friday.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan jointly shared the session alongside Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain and Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan. Representatives from the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of National Food Security, public and private sector stakeholders, and technical consultants were in attendance.

The committee presented the final business plan for meat exports to Malaysia, marking a major step toward expanding Pakistan’s footprint in the international halal meat market.

“An efficient business framework for meat exports has been developed,” said Haroon Akhtar, while lauding members of the committee and ministries.

Jam Kamal highlighted the joint contributions of all stakeholders, noting, “This package is the result of collective efforts and consensus among all concerned sectors.”

The government has set a target of $200 million in meat exports to Malaysia over the next 3 to 5 years. During the meeting, it was disclosed that Pakistan currently exports buffalo meat worth a meagre $38,000 to Malaysia.

The committee identified major challenges affecting exports, including foot-and-mouth diseases, processing deficiencies, and logistical hurdles.

“The halal meat sector will be granted industry status,” announced Akhtar. “This will increase exports and strengthen Pakistan’s economy.”

Akhtar said that the business plan has been designed with mutual consultation, and specific tasks with timelines have been assigned to each sector and stakeholder to achieve the $200 million target.

Meanwhile, Kamal Khan underscored the importance of financial facilitation, saying that to reduce export costs, “the banking sector, provincial and federal governments, and the State Bank of Pakistan will play a crucial role.”

Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain stated that modern slaughterhouses will be established in accordance with Malaysian standards, facilitating compliance and strengthening trade potential.