Global Rice News

Consul General of Malaysia in Karachi, Herman Hardynata Bain Ahmad, recently addressed members of the Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI) and discussed the trade relationship between Pakistan and Malaysia. Ahmad highlighted the inclusion of around 10,000 Pakistani products in the free trade agreement, while Malaysia has 6,000 products included. He expressed the intention of Malaysian traders and businessmen to visit Hyderabad in the near future.

Ahmad acknowledged that while 45 memorandum of understanding (MoU) were signed between Pakistan and Malaysia, limited academic opportunities for Pakistani students in Malaysia exist due to the absence of governmental level agreements. However, he mentioned that the Malaysian government is offering scholarships to postgraduate and PhD students in an effort to bridge this gap. Ahmad also recognized the tourism potential in various parts of Pakistan and expressed surprise over the lack of attention given to Karachi’s rich coastline for tourism purposes.

In terms of trade, Ahmad expressed his desire to talk to the Malaysian government about increasing the import of Pakistani rice. He also suggested that Pakistani exporters could utilize Malaysian ports as a transit facility for trade purposes with other countries.

HCCI President Adeel Siddiqui welcomed Ahmad and emphasized the friendly ties between Malaysia and Pakistan. Siddiqui highlighted the potential for joint ventures between the two governments in sectors such as hospitality, healthcare, and education, particularly in Hyderabad. He acknowledged a significant trade imbalance between the two countries, with Pakistan importing $1 billion worth of palm oil from Malaysia while only exporting $0.5 billion worth of goods. Siddiqui called for a review of the free trade agreements to ensure a more balanced trade volume and emphasized the need for increased cooperation in the education sector.

HCCI’s Diplomatic Affairs Sub-Committee Chairman, Hissam Iqbal Baig, emphasized the stability of bilateral ties and the important role that business communities can play in increasing trade volume. He highlighted the potential for foreign exchange through investments in the textile and tourism sectors.

Members of the HCCI informed the guest that Malaysia imports 700,000 metric tons of rice, which includes a Pakistani quota of 250,000 tons. They proposed that the Malaysian government could increase its import of rice from Pakistan, which would contribute to overall trade growth.

In conclusion, this interaction between the Consul General of Malaysia and the HCCI shed light on the opportunities and challenges in the trade relationship between Pakistan and Malaysia. It highlighted the importance of governmental level agreements and cooperation in various sectors to strengthen bilateral trade ties.

Source: [Business Recorder](https://www.brecorder.com)