Karachi, August 4, 2023 – The Consul General of Malaysia, Herman Hardynata Bin Ahmad, has announced that an 18-member Malaysian trade delegation is set to arrive in Karachi next week to explore opportunities for enhancing trade ties with their counterparts in the city.
During a meeting at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), the Malaysian CG requested KCCI to arrange Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings with Pakistani businesses, particularly in the food, agriculture, cosmetics, textiles, and other sectors on either 9th or 12th August 2023.
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He specifically urged the inclusion of exporters of Pakistani dry fruits in the proposed B2B meetings, as they could potentially strike deals with Malaysian businessmen for exporting Pakistani dry fruits to Malaysia.
In addition to the trade delegation’s visit, Consul General Herman Hardynata Bin Ahmad revealed that Malaysia is planning to open a trade office in Karachi by the end of this year. This move aims to strengthen trade ties with the business community in Karachi, which holds significant importance to Malaysia.
Moreover, to further facilitate trade and enhance connectivity between the two nations, a Malaysian airline is set to commence direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Karachi by the end of this year. The direct flights are expected to promote trade ties and unlock tourism opportunities between Kuala Lumpur and Karachi.
Addressing the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Malaysia and Pakistan, the Consul General mentioned that both countries are refreshing the FTA by adding more tradable items to the lists. This update is expected to address the current stagnation in trade volume and foster economic growth and cooperation between the two brotherly nations.
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In response to queries about visa-free access to Malaysia, the Envoy clarified that such arrangements usually require mutual agreement between countries. However, he assured that the visa processing for Malaysians visiting Pakistan is expedited, with most applications being processed within 48 hours, and emergency cases being addressed even more promptly.
President KCCI Mohammed Tariq Yousuf emphasized the need to address trade barriers that have hindered smooth trade between Malaysia and Pakistan. Despite excellent brotherly relationships, the bilateral trade volume remains below its full potential, with Pakistan’s exports to Malaysia currently valued at around $300 million. President Yousuf called for raising this volume to a more reasonable level.
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He highlighted the vast potential for cooperation between Pakistan and ASEAN countries, especially in areas such as transport, energy, communications, information technology, and agricultural research. Pakistan’s tourism sector also holds significant potential, and the country can learn from Malaysia’s successful tourism model.
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In conclusion, President Tariq Yousuf extended full support and cooperation to the Malaysian CG for the forthcoming visit of the Malaysian trade delegation. The KCCI is dedicated to facilitating interactive sessions and relevant business engagements between Malaysian delegates and Karachi’s business community to bolster trade ties and economic cooperation between the two nations.