FIVE-FOLD RISE IN M'SIA-PAKISTAN TWO-WAY TRADE IN THREE YEARS, SAYS PAKISTANI SENATOR

KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 (Bernama) -- Judging from the growing trade volume and by tapping unexplored trade potentials, Pakistan-Malaysia bilateral trade can register a five-fold increase in three years, says a Pakistani senator.

"Given the commonality and complementary competencies, Pakistan and Malaysia
can improve their two-way trade and investment substantially by identifying
untapped potential areas and encouraging business communities of both
countries," says Senator Abdul Haseeb Khan.

The two countries should take full advantage of the "enabling environment
made available to them" following signing of the Malaysia-Pakistan Free Trade
Agreement in November 2007, he said in a statement after meeting Malaysian
Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Mukhriz Mahathir Tuesday.

Since the FTA signing, Mukhriz said bilateral trade rose significantly from
RM4.6 million (US$1.43 million) in 2007 to RM6.2 billion (US$1.93 billion) in
2008, up 33.9 per cent.

Mukhriz also said Malaysia has been recognised as a global halal hub for
sourcing and sale of halal products and regarded Pakistan as a choice partner to
jointly capture the US$2 trillion global halal business.

The issuing of Certificate of Origin to Malaysian businessmen also
registered a 79.8 per cent increase since the FTA signing, reflecting Malaysian
businessmen's enhanced confidence to do business with Pakistan.
-- BERNAMA