A delegation of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) visited National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (NCCIM), said a press release issued on Sunday.
ICCI President Zafar Bakhtawari invited the NCCIM President 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. The ICCI President said that Pakistan produces good quality and affordable agricultural product like rice, wheat and mangoes that have a 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 between the two countries. He said Pakistan has a free trade agreement (FTA) with three countries that are Malaysia, China and Sri Lanka. Malaysia is the first Muslim country that has signed an FTA with Pakistan which also reflects the importance of Malaysia for Pakistan, he said.
He expressed the hope that Malaysia would also help Pakistan in becoming a full-dialogue partner in the 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, NCCI of Malaysia President Ali Al-Atas said business community of Pakistan should establish a base in Malaysia for attaining maximum trade benefits in ASEAN countries that would not only help boost trade activities but also prove beneficial for introducing Pakistani products in ASEAN countries.
He asked the Pakistani business community to actively participate in international conventions scheduled to be held in Malaysia in the 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 Bakhtawari to attend ASEAN Capital Chambers Conference in Islamabad.
Pakistan seeks increased trade with Malaysia in agriculture sector
