US$10 BLN MALAYSIA-PAKISTAN TRADE BY 2012 POSSIBLE, SAYS ENVOY

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- The target of US$10 billion for
Malaysia-Pakistan bilateral trade by 2012 set by Malaysia External Trade
Development Corporation (Matrade) is ambitious but achievable, according to
Pakistan's top diplomat in Malaysia.

"This is especially after signing of a free trade agreement between both
countries in November 2007," said Pakistan's High Commissioner to Malaysia, Lt
General (Rtd) Tahir Mahmud Qazi, in a statement.

He based his optimism on the increase in trade between two countries, rising
from US$835 million in 2006 to US$1.8 billion in 2008.

He was speaking at a reception organised by the High Commission to celebrate
52 years of diplomatic relationship between the two countries in conjunction
with Pakistan's 62nd Independence Day.

"Pakistan and Malaysia enjoy exemplary fraternal bilateral relations, not
only at government-to-government level but people-to-people relations are also
flourishing with enhanced activities in all fields, including trade and
economic, social and cultural, defence, media and sports," Qazi said.

On the diplomatic front, he said Malaysia and Pakistan enjoyed common
membership in groups such as the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), the
Commonwealth of Nations, and the Non-Aligned Movement, as well as the Developing
Eight (D-8), he said.
-- BERNAMA