Pakistan-Malaysia bilateral trade position was reviewed, particularly with a view to enhance exports of Pakistani goods to Malaysia, in order to narrow-down trade imbalance with Malaysia. It was decided to make all out efforts to increase the volume of export of rice, halal food products, meat, frozen seafood, fresh vegetables & fruits, particularly mangoes and non-traditional items to Malaysia. The Council stressed on the need for exploring new areas of mutual co-operation to boost bilateral trade and economic ties with Malaysia.
The problems and constraints in the way of exports from Pakistan and probable remedies were also deliberated, particularly Import Duty on Mangoes and Mandarin (Kinoo) in Malaysia and non-availability of refrigerated containers for shipment of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, besides Malaysian export duty on crude palm oil, which discourages import of palm oil from Malaysia, which has come down to about 20%. It was agreed that Mango Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur would be arranged in current season, in collaboration with High Commission of Pakistan in Malaysia.
The Council noted that there is no Commercial Counselor at Pakistan High Commission in Kuala Lumpur for last one year. Similarly, the post of High Commissioner is also vacant as the recently appointed incumbent (Amna Baloch) has not taken the charge as yet. Since they play vital role to promote business and facilitate Pakistani businessmen. The Council has taken up the matter with Mr. Abdul Razak Dawood, Advisor to Prime Minister of Pakistan for Commerce, Textile, Industry & Production and Investment and other relevant authorities, for ensuring earliest posting of Commercial Counsellor in Malaysia.
The Council is in regular contact and correspondence with its Malaysian counterparts, viz. Malaysia-Pakistan Business Council, Kuala Lumpur. They are in the process of organizing a Full-Day Seminar in Malaysia to promote business and Malaysian investment in Pakistan, besides arranging a familiarization Trip to Pakistan in August/September, 2019 to promote tourism in Pakistan. The Council had also invited them to bring a trade delegation from Malaysia in October this year for promotion of trade between both the countries.
The Council's member based in Islamabad, Brig Muhammad Zareef Malik (retd) was co-opted as Director of Pak-Malaysia Business Council for liaison in Islamabad.