PAKISTAN-MALAYSIA CAN ESTABLISH CHAIN OF BUSINESS ACTIVITIES

KARACHI, Nov 5 (Bernama)-- Pakistan is keen to export its products and
expertise to Malaysia and welcomes a reciprocal move towards enhancing bilateral
trade between the two countries.

The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) director-general,
Nusrat
Iqbal Jamshed said by doing so, both countries could establish a chain of
business activities for mutual benefit.

"We would like to be involved in activities such as the marble
industry,
textile, handicraft, pharmaceuticals, carpet, fish and fish preparations
while Malaysia could export its expertise and investments in palm oil,rubber and
tin.

"Karachi can be a reservoir for Malaysian investment activities in
respect
of exports to other countries," he told Malaysian journalists on a working visit
here.

Bilateral trade between the two countries is in Malaysia's favour.
Currently, Malaysia's exports to Pakistan stand at around US$1.7 billion while
imports are at only U$104 million.

The two countries have signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA)which was
implemented in 2006.It was enlarged in its scope through the Malaysia Pakistan
Closer Economic Participation (MPCEPA)agreement last year.

The MPCEPA is Pakistan's first comprehensive agreement on goods, services,
investment and economic cooperation with any country in the world. It is also
the first such agreement between the two members of Organisation of the Islamic
Conference (OIC).

The agreement is also Malaysia's first with a country in South
Asia.

Jamshed said 61 percent of Pakistan's exports are in textile and clothing
particularly raw cotton, yarn, fabrics, garments, tents and canvas while a
further 23 percent relates to rice, leather and leather products, sports goods,
wool, carpets, surgical instruments and petroleum products.

Fish and fish preparations, fruits and vegetables, chemical products,
pharmaceuticals, marble and granite, gems and jewellery, information techology,
meat and poultry and cement represent seven percent of exports with the balance
being other types of goods.
-- BERNAMA