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In a landmark cooperation in the automotive industry between Pakistan and Malaysia, Prime Minister Dr bin Mahathir Mohammad and Prime Minister Imran Khan jointly performed the symbolic ground-breaking ceremony of Proton plant in Islamabad which will boost the manufacturing and services industry for both countries.
"Both leaders underpinned their shared desire to strengthen bilateral economic ties, expand trade and investment, create favourable conditions for commerce and business in both countries," stated the joint statement between Pakistan and Malaysian issued on the occasion of the official three-day visit of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who is visiting the country at the invitation of Prime Minister Khan. The Proton car manufacturing unit in Pakistan will start production in June next year. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad also presented a gift of Proton car to Prime Minister Imran Khan on this occasion.
According to the joint statement, Malaysia expressed the hope that Pakistan would continue to import more Malaysian palm oil and palm oil-based products, as well as, remove any non-tariff barriers on Malaysian goods and products. The two sides also agreed that the existing relations between Pakistan and Malaysia be elevated to a strategic partnership. Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohammad, who arrived on a three-day visit to the country on Thursday, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Prime Minister's House.
After the welcoming ceremony, Prime Minister Imran Khan held a restricted meeting with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir bin Mohammad. "Both leaders held fruitful and in-depth discussions, which took place in a warm and cordial atmosphere. The discussion covered a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interests," it added. Both sides took note of the exchange of notes and the ratification of the MoU on the partial abolition of visa requirement for diplomatic and official passport holders, signed between the two countries during the visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan from November 20-21, 2018.
The two leaders took note that the 1st bilateral consultations between the foreign secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan and the secretary-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, as a mechanism to intensify the engagements between both sides, was successfully held on February 25, 2019 in Islamabad, Pakistan.
The 1st bilateral consultations between both countries had covered various issues of mutual concerns such as debt management and anti-corruption, defence cooperation, labour matters, consular matters as well as regional and international dynamics.
Both leaders acknowledged the successful convening of the 13th Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation (JCDC) which was held from February 26-27, 2019 in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia invited Pakistan to participate in the upcoming Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) from March 26-30, 2019.
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir bin Mohammad expressed his sincere appreciation to President Dr Arif Alvi for hosting a state banquet and bestowing him with the Nishan-e-Pakistan (Order of Pakistan), Pakistan's highest civil award.
"It marked a new level of the bilateral cooperation between both countries in various fields, namely trade in palm oil, agricultural products, food retail, halal products, automotive parts, energy, science and technology, and telecommunication investment," the joint statement noted, adding that the new level of partnership will entail further engagement and enhance cooperation between the two countries.
Both sides reaffirmed their shared desire to maintain close high-level contacts, deepen friendly exchanges of visits and cooperation in all fields, as well as, to actively promote Pakistan-Malaysia relations.
It further stated that the two countries reaffirmed the importance of the cooperation between the private sectors of both countries. Both leaders witnessed the signing of agreement and memoranda of understanding in the field of investment and cooperation, particularly in the telecommunication sector. They also acknowledged that this investment would serve to promote and strengthen the economic ties between both countries, it added.
The two leaders also underpinned their shared desire to strengthen bilateral economic ties, expand trade and investment, create favourable conditions for commerce and business in both countries.
Both sides reaffirmed the Malaysia-Pakistan Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (MPCEPA) signed on November 8, 2007 and welcomed the growing momentum in the bilateral economic relations, it stated, adding that they stressed on the need to convene the next MPCEPA Joint Committee meeting as soon as possible.
It further stated that Malaysia took note of the massive counterterrorism efforts that Pakistan has successfully undertaken in an effort to eliminate terrorism.
The two leaders agreed on the need to enhance educational ties particularly in the institutions of higher learning, technical and vocational training between Malaysia and Pakistan, it stated, adding that they agreed that close cooperation in higher education and vocational training are critical elements to the next phase of relationship.
It added that tourism and youth exchanges have also been identified as key drivers in promoting greater people-to-people contact and sustainable socio-economic growth, and in fostering mutual understanding between the two countries.
Both leaders noted the growing momentum for halal products among consumers worldwide, it stated, adding that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir bin Mohammad conveyed his readiness to share Malaysia's experience and expertise in the halal industry with Pakistan.
As two peace-loving Islamic nations, the two leaders agreed to increase their collaborative efforts to uphold the true values of Islam in international fora while strengthening the solidarity of the Muslim Ummah.
"Both sides reaffirmed their commitments to collaborate more closely on issues affecting the Muslim world including taking joint efforts in underscoring Muslim sensitivities that target Muslim holy personalities and religious belief," it stated, adding that both stressed that terrorism cannot be associated with any religion or belief.
The two leaders also exchanged views on the situation in Palestine and in the Rakhine State, Myanmar, involving Rohingya Muslims. On the Palestinian issue, it stated that both countries agreed to contribute positively at other forums, especially in the OIC Committee of Six on Palestine, of which Malaysia and Pakistan are members.
Prime Minister Imran Khan also briefed Prime Minister Dr Mahathir on the grave human rights situation in Kashmir and in this regard referred to the Reports of UNOHCHR, Amnesty International, International People's Tribunal and All Parties Parliamentary Kashmir Group, the UK.
Prime Minister Khan also discussed the role of OIC Contact Group on Kashmir to highlight the issue.
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir bin Mohammad expressed deep appreciation and gratitude to Prime Minister Imran Khan and the people of Pakistan for their warm welcome and generous hospitality extended during their stay in Pakistan.
Reuters adds: A joint venture between Malaysia's Proton Motors and Pakistan's Al-Haj group will begin producing cars from June, officials said on Friday at a ceremony in Islamabad unveiling a series of business accords between the two countries.
The Proton joint venture, first agreed last year, was the centrepiece of a series of agreements signed during a visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Pakistani officials said the deals would total around $800-900 million.
"These partnerships are just the beginning and I look forward to more and more partnerships," Board of Investment chairman Haroon Sharif said at the signing ceremony, at which Mahathir presented Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan with a symbolic car key.
The Proton plant, near the southern port city of Karachi, is the latest in a series of assembly deals set up in Pakistan by international auto makers including Volkswagen AG and Hyundai Motors. "We were told that the first Proton which will be assembled here will be on the roads next June in Pakistan," Sharif said.
The deals come as Pakistan steps up efforts to attract foreign investment. The country is struggling with a ballooning current account deficit and a balance of payments squeeze that has forced it into bailout talks with the International Monetary Fund.
In recent months, it has signed multibillion dollar credit and investment deals with countries including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. It is also a central part of China's vast Belt and Road Initiative through the $60 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor.
As well as the Proton accord, Malaysia's Edotco Group signed agreements in the telecoms sector with local units of China Mobile and Telenor, as well as local mobile group Jazz.
Other deals included a halal meat agreement signed by the foods unit of Pakistan's Fauji Foundation conglomerate and a $20 million venture capital agreement between Pakistan's Fatima Ventures and Gobi Partners of Malaysia.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019

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