KUALA LUMPUR: External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) of Malaysia has target US$10 billion in trade with Pakistan by 2015.
The Malaysian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Ahmad Shahizan Abd Samad said in Kuala Lumpur that as of last year, Malaysia had registered US$1.8 billion in trade with Pakistan.
The High Commissioner said that after 52 years of bilateral relations, trade between both countries is however not significant. Despite the negative perception of Pakistan due to security issues, there are still specific sectors considered to being potentially lucrative for Malaysian businesses," Ahmad Shahizan added.
He said that potential areas for Malaysian businesses to source for opportunities are, palm oil, chemicals and chemical products, electrical and electronic products, machinery and parts, processed food,textiles and clothing, natural rubber, wood products, iron, steel and metal products.
Mr. Samad Shahizan said that in 2008, Malaysia's total exports to Pakistan stood at US$ 1.8 billion, an increase of 33.04 percent from the US$ 1.3 billion the previous year.
He said that major products exported include palm oil, chemicals and chemical products, electrical and electronic products, machinery, appliances and parts, textiles and clothings, processed food and natural rubber.
From January to February this year, Malaysia's exports to Pakistan recorded an increase of 11.5 percent from the US$ 274.17 million during the same period in 2008.
Ahmad Shahizan said that Malaysia , will be organising a marketing mission to Pakistan in the cities of Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore from May 23-30 to promote Malaysian products and services as well as explore market opportunities.
The objective of the mission is to cultivate direct business contacts between businessmen in the two countries and to take advantage of the Malaysia-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (FTA). |