Agriculture sector: Pakistan seeks enhancement of trade with Malaysia Pakistan

A delegation of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) led by its President, Zafar Bakhtawari visited National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (NCCIM) and had a meeting with Ali Al Atas, President of NCCIM.
Zafar Bakhtawari, invited President of National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia to attend ASEAN Capital Chambers Conference in Islamabad which would be organised 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 that 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 and Malaysia is the first Muslim country that has signed FTA with Pakistan which also reflects the importance of Malaysia for Pakistan. He further said 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.
ICCI President was of the view that organising joint cultural events was an option which could be used to bring the peoples of both nations closer to each other, as well as exploit untapped bilateral trade and investment potential in both countries. Speaking on the occasion, Ali Al Atas, President of National Chamber of Commerce and Industry 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 in boosting trade activities but also prove beneficial for introducing Pakistani products in ASEAN countries.

Source: www.brecorder.com/