Pakistan's High Commissioner to Malaysia Masood Khalid described 2011 as a significant year in bilateral relations between Pakistan and Malaysia. He said trade of Pakistan and Malaysia went up by 10 per cent in 2011.
In an interview with state-owned Malaysian news agency Bernama, the High Commissioner said two-way trade between Pakistan and Malaysia was already up by over 10 per cent, with greater commercial and economic interaction through exchange of business delegations, investment conferences and participation in trade fairs and exhibitions.
He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani had the first bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth in October. "During the meeting both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen traditional ties," he said.
Masood Khalid said new areas of co-operation, such as halal meet industry, agriculture, education and sports, witnessed increased activity, and for the first time, Pakistani beef was introduced in the local market. "Pakistan also emerged as a major supplier of rice, textiles and livestock to Malaysia," he said. On the maritime front, he said a Malaysian naval ship earlier participated in the Aman (Peace) naval exercise held in the sea near Karachi, while Pakistan had participated in the recent Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition.
He said the Joint Committee on Defence Co-operation had also held its meeting in Kuala Lumpur to boost defence co-operation between the two countries. He said for 2012, Pakistan intended to build on what it achieved last year. "The exchange of high-level delegations, joint commission meeting, expansion in trade, more educational linkages and people-to-people contacts are on our agenda to take our relationship forward," Masood said.
Comments
Comments are closed.