PUTRAJAYA: The government will consider Pakistan’s proposal to export up to US$200mil (RM843.1mil) worth of beef to Malaysia.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the matter was raised by his Pakistani counterpart, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, who arrived in Malaysia on Sunday night for an official visit.
“We will facilitate this, of course, and as I have said, I assured that this will be priced competitively.
“I will certainly do what is necessary; you mentioned up to US$200mil worth,” Anwar said, glancing at Muhammad Shehbaz during a joint press conference at Perdana Putra, which is the location of the Prime Minister’s Office, yesterday.
Anwar stated that the proposal was part of ongoing efforts to enhance agricultural collaboration between Malaysia and Pakistan.
He said that Muhammad Shehbaz also proposed that both countries enhance their cooperation in various fields, including Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), the Electrical and Electronics industry, Information and Communication Technology, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), as well as the semiconductor sector.
“Pakistan is among the Muslim countries that were clearly far ahead in these fields; therefore, the potential is there,” he said.
Anwar said Malaysia and Pakistan have maintained friendly ties since 1957.
“We are in a period of geopolitical uncertainties.
“In the areas of defence, culture, energy, digital technologies and new technologies, there are opportunities for us to explore,” he added.
Muhammad Shehbaz, who spoke after Anwar, described the bilateral discussions as productive.
“We covered a wide range of matters pertaining to bilateral relations and other international issues.
“I am very happy that our views converge on almost all important issues,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude to Anwar for considering importing beef from Pakistan.
Muhammad Shehbaz assured that Pakistan would fulfil all halal certification and market regulation requirements established by the Malaysian authorities.
“We will make all possible efforts to meet your terms and conditions.
“God willing, we will achieve not only the quota of US$200mil, but in time, it will increase because when consumers are happy, the sky is the limit,” he added.
Earlier, the two leaders witnessed the signing of several memoranda of understanding (MOUs) on cooperation in higher education, tourism, halal certification, and efforts to combat and prevent corruption.
Another MOU was signed between Pakistan’s Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority and SME Corporation Malaysia.
An Exchange of Notes was also signed between the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations and the Foreign Service Academy of Pakistan on Cooperation in the Field of Training for Diplomats.
After the press conference, Anwar hosted a luncheon in honour of Muhammad Shehbaz at his official residence, Seri Perdana.
Both leaders also attended the Malaysia-Pakistan Business and Investment Conference at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur.
Earlier in the day, Muhammad Shehbaz was accorded an official welcome ceremony at Dataran Perdana, where he inspected a guard of honour mounted by three officers and 103 members of the first battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment, led by Mejar Muhammad Akmal Hakim Sabarudin.
Following the ceremony, he presented Anwar with an Urdu language version of the book SCRIPT: For a Better Malaysia.
Muhammad Shehbaz is in Malaysia for a three-day official visit beginning on Sunday – his first trip here since taking office.
Last year, total trade between Malaysia and Pakistan reached RM8.07bil, an increase of 25.5% from the previous year.