Punjab government, Malaysia sign MoU for cooperation in agriculture, livestock sectors

Punjab government on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Malaysia for co-operation in agriculture and livestock sectors here on Tuesday. According to an official, Punjab Agriculture Secretary Cap. Arif Nadeem (Retd), Secretary Livestock Jehanzeb Khan and Managing Director of Shah Zain Company of Malaysia, Hashim Abdullah, signed the document.
Punjab Chief Minister Sharif, Malaysian Agriculture Minister Datuk Seri Noh Bin Haji Omar, Senior Provincial Minister Raja Riaz Ahmad, Malaysian High Commissioner and other officials were present on the occasion. Shahbaz said Malaysia and Pakistan are brotherly Islamic countries and there are vast opportunities existed for promotion of bilateral co-operation between the two countries in industrial, trade, agriculture, education sectors.
"Punjab is rich in natural resources and there is a wide scope of investment in livestock, dairy development, agriculture and other sectors. Punjab and Malaysia could launch joint ventures in the sectors of livestock and agri products," he added.
According to him, Punjab could supply Halal meat to Malaysia through joint ventures in livestock sector because Malaysia was currently importing 60 percent Halal meat from India and the remaining from other countries. "Malaysia could also extend co-operation in the promotion of modern vocational education in Punjab. Pakistani youth could play their due role in national development by acquiring latest vocational education as well as earn foreign exchange," he added.
He underlined the need of exchanging maximum number of students' delegations between the two countries for the promotion of bilateral ties. "The agreement between Punjab and Malaysia in agriculture and livestock sectors would prove to be a milestone in cementing the their relations and open up new avenues of bilateral co-operation between the two brotherly countries. The agreements between private sectors of both the countries in agriculture and livestock sectors would yield far-reaching results," he added.
Malaysian Agriculture Minister said Malaysia would extend all out co-operation to Punjab for progress and development of various sectors. He said Malaysia was interested in launching joint ventures with Punjab in agriculture, livestock, education, information technology and other sectors. He also invited traders from Punjab to participate in Malaysian Agri-Expo.
Earlier, the Malaysian delegation headed by Datuk Seri Noh Bin Haji Omar met Punjab Chief Minister. Matters regarding co-operation in low-cost housing scheme, mass transit, public transport and tourism sectors came under discussion during the meeting. Secretaries of Agriculture and Livestock departments and Chairman TEVTA gave a detailed briefing to the delegation regarding scope of co-operation in different sectors.