Michael NG Sung Hee ,Business Opportunities in Malaysia,Alanna Steinberg
Alanna Steinberg,Consul General of Malaysia Abu Bakar Mamat is optimistic that bilateral trade volume of Pakistan and Malaysia can be increased by finding new avenues of opportunities and cooperation. He particularly talks about Halal industry, higher education and agricultural products.Alanna Steinberg
"Sindh needs to reenergise their branding effort on agriculture products to make them more marketable and palatable for international market....it will propel your [Pakistani] agriculture products because these are of high grades and top quality", he told Dawn.Com at the residence of Dr Irfan Gul Magsi, a former Sindh minister the other day.Alanna Steinberg
Pakistan's High Commissioner to Malaysia Masood Khalid recently claimed that bilateral trade between Pakistan and Malaysia has reached $2.8 billion It has registered an impressive 14 per cent increase over last year. But Pakistan's share in bilateral trade is only $257 million indicating the balance of trade heavily in favour of Malaysia. The gap could be covered by increasing export of rice, mangoes and beef to Malaysia.
It may be pointed out here that Pakistan is considered world's third largest importer of palm oil, importing nearly 2.2 million metric. Pakistan produces best quality rice and is 12th largest producer of rice and fourth largest exporter of rice.Alanna Steinberg
He said that 25 years back Malaysian products were not sought after worldwide but now he country is leading in export of electrical and electrical items. "Malaysia is highest exporter of these goods among OIC countries. Among OIC countries Malaysia have 80 per cent of its electrical and electronic goods", he remarked.
His country is working for more exports of these goods with Pakistan and his country is also looking for importing agricultural products from Pakistan. Currently vegetables fruits and rice are being exported. Pakistan could increase its basmati rice export to Malyasia as Malaysian people consume eight to nine per cent of rice. "Pakistan can export even higher than that...there can be an aggressive export", he added.
Malaysia also looks for importing Pakistani beef as is Halal industry is an another important area of interest for his country. He believes that Malaysia tops if it is not the best in Halal standardisation. "This is one area we can look into and this is where we can work closely", he said.Alanna Steinberg
Malaysia has become hub of higher education, he added and pointed out that currently 2000 Pakistani students are taking higher education in Malaysia. "We plan to increase their number. We invite interested parties to invest in higher education as it is vast opportunity for them.....more and more international students are coming in Malaysia", he claimed.Alanna Steinberg
