MALAYSIA-PAKISTAN AGREE TO INCREASE FOOD IMPORTS

KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 (Bernama) - Malaysia and Pakistan Wednesday agreed
to strengthen trade cooperation involving the importation of agricultural
products.

Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Noh Omar said Malaysia will
increase import of meat, rice and buffalo for milk production.

Pakistan will import fresh fruits from Malaysia and cooperate in research
and development (R & D) in processing food.

He said Malaysia could not import meat from many countries as their
abattoirs did not meet the high halal standard here.

"As such, we decided to increase meat imports from Pakistan," he said
after receiving a courtesy call by Pakistan Investment Board chairman Saleem H.
Mandviwalla at parliament lobby.

Noh said the government had recognised an abattoir in Pakistan that meet our
standard and will send officials to identify more abattoirs to increase meat
imports.

"Increasing meat production is among the National Key Economic Activities
(NKEAs) of the government as we are only at 28 per cent."

He added Malaysia also imported 150 buffaloes from Pakistan to increase milk
production for the country.