ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Malaysian officials have held talks on halal food, green energy and tourism sectors as part of renewed efforts to expand ties between the two Muslim-majority nations, the Pakistani High Commission in Malaysia on Monday.

The discussions took place during a meeting between Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, Syed Ahsan Raza Shah and Tun Pehin Sri Dr. Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, governor of Malaysia’s Sarawak state.

Bilateral trade between the two countries stands at about $1.4 billion a year, according to official data from both governments. In Oct., both countries announced a new $200 million halal meat trade quota.

“Constructive talks on Pakistan-Malaysia ties in halal [food], palm oil, green energy, rice, labor, tourism, culture & sustainable development,” the Pakistani High Commission in Malaysia said on X.

Malaysia’s exports to Pakistan are led by palm oil and other vegetable fats, followed by machinery, rubber products and organic chemicals. Pakistan’s main exports to Malaysia include rice, textiles, seafood and minerals.

The two countries have also traded under the Malaysia-Pakistan Closer Economic Partnership Agreement since 2008, which provides preferential market access for goods and services.

Pakistan has been rapidly growing its green energy, halal food, and tourism sectors. Its halal food industry is attracting global buyers with Shariah-compliant products, while tourism is leveraging the country’s natural beauty, heritage sites and cultural attractions to draw international visitors.