KARACHI – Malaysia has invited meat exporters from Pakistan to explore Malaysia markets. Haji Roslin Abdul Rehman, the Economic Advisor to Malaysia’s Terengganu Province, has urged the business community of Pakistan to consider the significant opportunity of exporting meat to Malaysia.
Malaysia represents a $2 billion market for meat, with only 24 percent of this demand being supplied locally, while the majority of meat is imported from various countries.
At a meeting with the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) during a visit by a Malaysian delegation, Haji Roslin Abdul Rehman emphasized that Pakistan and Malaysia, both Muslim countries with a longstanding brotherly relationship, had yet to engage in meat trade.
Currently, approximately 50 percent of Malaysia’s meat demand is met by importing meat from non-Muslim countries such as Australia, Brazil, New Zealand, India, China, and Thailand. Haji Roslin Abdul Rehman expressed that this presented an excellent opportunity for Pakistani meat exporters to collaborate with Malaysian businesses and enter the Malaysian market.
He also mentioned the upcoming visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Bin Mohamad to Pakistan in March 2019. During this visit, the Malaysian Ministers for Religion and Agriculture will also be present, and they may consider endorsing Pakistani slaughterhouses or meat processing facilities interested in exporting meat to Malaysia.
Additionally, Haji Roslin Abdul Rehman suggested that Pakistan and Malaysia could establish a joint global brand for the export of Halal meat. Furthermore, the Pakistani business community could explore exporting timber products, seafood, fruits, and vegetables to Malaysia.
President of KCCI, Junaid Esmail Makda, assured the Malaysian delegates of KCCI’s commitment to encouraging meat exports to Malaysia. He stated that KCCI would conduct a study to identify any obstacles to meat exports from Pakistan to Malaysia, and any issues discovered would be presented to the Federal Ministry of Commerce for resolution.
Pakistan’s meat industry has a global presence, with its red meat in high demand, particularly in Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian countries. The production of quality meat is closely tied to the livestock sector, which Pakistan is known for as the fifth-largest livestock producer in the world.
Regarding economic relations, Junaid Makda noted that both countries had a history of cooperation in various economic spheres, particularly in trade and investment. In 2017, Pakistan exported $166.48 million worth of goods to Malaysia while importing $1,167.13 million worth of goods from Malaysia, resulting in a trade balance in favor of Malaysia by $1 billion.
KCCI is committed to strengthening trade ties and exploring new bilateral trade opportunities with Malaysia. The enhanced trade relations between the two countries are expected to lead to increased prosperity and create mutually beneficial opportunities.
In conclusion, the invitation from Malaysia for Pakistani meat exports represents a significant opportunity to strengthen economic ties and trade cooperation between the two nations while satisfying the substantial demand for meat in the Malaysian market.
