Pakistan and Malaysia Engage in Delegation-Level Talks, Sign Multiple Agreements

Pakistan and Malaysia held delegation-level talks during which several agreements were signed, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Malaysian Prime Minister leading their respective delegations.

Both prime ministers expressed satisfaction with the historical and fraternal relations between the two countries and emphasized the importance of strengthening high-level exchanges, strategic dialogue, and institutional frameworks. They reaffirmed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, initially signed in Kuala Lumpur on November 8, 2007.

The parties agreed to enhance economic cooperation and address the trade imbalance, and they also decided to convene a meeting of the Joint Review Committee of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement soon.

Additionally, both sides agreed to increase cooperation in the processing of halal products, with Pakistan offering to boost halal meat exports to Malaysia. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif proposed raising the annual halal meat export to Malaysia to $200 million.

The Prime Minister welcomed Malaysia’s decision to send a delegation to participate in Ideas 2024 and agreed on the need to enhance cooperation between higher education institutions and technical and vocational training centers.

Furthermore, it was decided to expand cooperation in the aviation sector, and discussions also covered important regional and global developments, including the situation in Palestine and the Middle East.

The prime ministers participated in a ceremony for the exchange of MOUs and cooperation documents, signing an MOU between the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation. An MOU for halal trade was also exchanged between the Pakistan Malaysia Business Council and the Malaysia Pakistan Business Council, along with a letter of cooperation between the PTA and the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission.

Later, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hosted a luncheon in honor of his Malaysian counterpart and his delegation.