Malaysia is set to import halal meat and basmati rice from Pakistan, declared Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The announcement came during a joint media briefing after Anwar Ibrahim and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s bilateral meeting on Thursday where they explored enhanced cooperation across key sectors including trade, investment, agriculture, tourism, education, and defence.
“As a result of our discussions, Malaysia has agreed in principle to import 100,000 tonnes of halal meat and basmati rice from Pakistan,” PM Anwar Ibrahim said. Prime Minister Shehbaz highlighted that the halal meat export alone could generate $200 million annually for Pakistan.
Ensuring the highest quality, PM Anwar expressed confidence in Pakistani exporters meeting Malaysia’s strict halal standards. He also announced plans to open a trade office in Karachi next month to streamline the import of halal meat and rice.
The bilateral discussions extended beyond trade, covering defence, tourism, agriculture, green energy, skilled labour, semiconductors, and youth empowerment. Prime Minister Anwar emphasised Malaysia’s need for skilled professionals in information technology, digital innovation, and artificial intelligence, adding that the two nations could explore collaborations in Malaysia’s semiconductor industry.
Prime Minister Shehbaz commended Malaysia’s consistent support for Palestine and lauded the nation’s stance against Israeli actions in Gaza. He also discussed the Kashmir conflict, calling it a crucial issue of global importance as the people of Kashmir continue their efforts for self-determination.
“This visit to Pakistan is highly significant,” PM Anwar noted, expressing optimism about deepening ties between the two countries. He also mentioned an interest in increasing flights to Pakistan, fostering more tourism, and further boosting bilateral relations.
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