ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday arrived in Malaysia on a three-day visit to expand bilateral trade and investment relations in various sectors, Sharif’s office said.
The visit comes as the South Asian country pushes for export-led growth and seeks new markets to recover from a prolonged economic crisis that brought it close to a sovereign default two years ago.
Last month, Sharif instructed his administration to draw up a plan to boost exports, particularly beef, to Malaysia, noting the “enormous potential” to expand trade between the two countries. Malaysia is already a major supplier of palm oil to Pakistan, while halal meat remains a largely untapped area of bilateral trade.
Upon arrival at the Kuala Lumpur airport, the Prime Minister was received by the Malaysian Minister of Communications Fahmi Fadzil, Pakistani High Commissioner to Malaysia Syed Ahsan Raza Shah and other officials, and was taken to his residence in royal protocol, according to Sharif’s office.
“I am very happy to be in Malaysia. I thank the Malaysian Prime Minister for the warm welcome,” Sharif was quoted as saying by his office. “This visit will further strengthen Pakistan-Malaysia bilateral relations.”
Sharif is visiting Malaysia at the invitation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, according to his office. During the visit, the Pakistani premier will meet his Malaysian counterpart, while talks will also be held between the two countries at the delegation level.
“The two leaders will also consider expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, IT and telecom, halal industry, investment, education, energy, infrastructure and digital economy,” Sharif’s office said.
“Discussions will be held to explore new opportunities for cooperation to enhance people-to-people contacts.”
Pakistan and Malaysia established diplomatic ties in 1957, soon after Malaysia’s independence, and cooperate closely in multilateral forums such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Commonwealth.
“This visit underscores Pakistan’s continued commitment to strengthening ties with Malaysia,” the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement earlier. “It also reaffirms the importance both countries place on working together to promote peace, stability, trade & investment and sustainable development.”
