Govt seeks to expand footprint in Malaysia

The government has laid special emphasis on developing a robust strategy for the promotion of Pakistan's halal meat, rice, fruits and value-added agro-based products in line with Malaysia's market requirements.

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain on Tuesday chaired a meeting of the committee formed to finalise the agenda for the prime minister's upcoming visit to Malaysia.

The meeting brought together senior officials from relevant ministries and departments to deliberate on proposals concerning technology, agriculture, food security and trade cooperation.

The committee reviewed in detail the prospects of enhancing Pakistan's exports, especially of agricultural products, to Malaysia. It was underlined that Pakistan, being a major producer of agricultural commodities, held a strong comparative advantage in supplying high-quality food products.

The minister stressed the importance of diversifying Pakistan's export base and improving the international competitiveness of its agricultural sector. He highlighted the role of modern research, innovation and value addition in meeting international standards and ensuring greater market penetration.

It was agreed that technical cooperation and knowledge sharing with Malaysia would be pursued to strengthen agricultural productivity and food security.

Discussions were also held on organising a Pakistan-Malaysia business summit during the PM's visit. The summit will provide a platform for B2B linkages between agricultural producers, food exporters and investors from both countries. This initiative is expected to open new avenues for Pakistani farmers and agribusinesses, particularly in the halal food market.

At the conclusion, Rana Tanveer reaffirmed the government's resolve to boost Pakistan's agriculture-led exports and utilise the visit as an opportunity to secure long-term partnerships in food security, research and sustainable farming practices.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) hosted a meeting in Karachi with Malaysian High Commissioner Mohammad Azhar Mazlan, aimed at fostering trade, industrial and investment cooperation between the two countries.

FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh mentioned that the high commissioner and his team of senior diplomats had assured them of support for correcting Pakistan's trade deficit with Malaysia through facilitating exporters and enhancing market access.