President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF), Mian Zahid Hussain has emphasised that the government need to take practical measures to boost international trade which will curb poverty and improve per capita income. He said that investment outlook of the country is becoming better give to reforms' policies of the PTI government and successful foreign visits of Prime Minister Imran Khan. Several countries have shown interest in investment in Pakistan in addition to China's CPEC project.

He said that Saudi Arabia has planned to establish World's largest oil refinery in Gwadar which will fetch around $ 5 billion of foreign investment. The UAE in addition to $ 6 billion relief package for Pakistan has shown interest in investment in Pakistan. Russian and Pakistan have signed a $ 10 billion agreement of gas pipeline project, which is reported to be the biggest agreement between the two countries.

Germany, an economically leading EU country has consented to invest in the SME sector of Pakistan. Its industrial sector is 99 percent based on SME, providing employment to 60 percent of its people. He said that Malaysia has also consented to invest in different sectors of Pakistan, including infrastructure, housing and telecommunication.

The bilateral trade between both countries stood at around $ 1 billion, which need to be increased. Malaysia is World's best market for Halal meat; Pakistan can fetch the global meat market by arranging Halal and hygiene certification. Pakistan is 4th biggest buyer of Malaysian Palm oil.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019