KUALA LUMPUR: The new Malaysian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Mohammad Azhar Mazlan, aims to leverage on the excellent state of relations and goodwill between both nations by taking the relationship to a higher level, focusing on new and niche areas in economic, trade and investment cooperation.
Azhar paid a courtesy call on Pakistani President Dr Arif Alvi, where he also presented letters of credence in a ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr (Presidential Palace) in Islamabad on Wednesday (Mar 15).
"The call concluded with His Excellency the President presenting a book on Pakistan to the High Commissioner," said a statement by the Malaysian High Commission to Pakistan.
Also present during the ceremony were additional secretary (administration) of the Pakistan Foreign Affairs Ministry, military secretary of the president and chief of protocol, and representatives from the High Commission, namely Madame Amelia Amani Lee Abdullah, the High Commissioner's spouse, Defence Attache, Colonel Noraripin and Third secretary Nor Azuan.
The statement said that state of relations between Malaysia and Pakistan had been excellent and as strategic partners, both countries had close engagement in trade, investment, education, culture, tourism, defence, and technical assistance in capacity building and human capital development.
During the call, both parties also touched on mutual bilateral and regional issues of importance.
"Last year, Pakistan was Malaysia's 30th largest trading partner, 24th largest export destination and 40th largest import source.
"Among South Asian countries, Pakistan is Malaysia's 3rd largest trading partner, export destination and import source, with the total trade registered last year between the two countries at US$1.8 billion (RM8.07 billion)," added the statement.
The statement said that Malaysia's exports to Pakistan comprised, among others, palm oil and palm oil-based products, agriculture products and manufactured products, whereas Malaysia's imports from Pakistan comprised of agricultural products, textile, apparels and footwear.
Malaysia's investment in Pakistan totaled US$6 billion (RM27 billion) in the power sector, township development, construction, supplies, telecommunication and financial services, whereelse Pakistan has a total investment of US$400 million (RM1.8 billion) in Malaysia, among others, in chemicals, chemical products, food manufacturing and plastic products. – Bernama