Pakistan, Malaysia deepen ties with six agreements

Pakistan and Malaysia signed six agreements to strengthen bilateral cooperation during Pakistan premier Shahbaz Sharif’s first state visit to the Southeast Asian country. 

The agreements included memorandum of understandings on higher education, tourism, halal certification, small and medium enterprises as well as combating and preventing corruption.

Both sides memorialized cooperation to train diplomats, too.

Malaysia announced a $200 million quota for meat exports from Pakistan which, the Pakistan premier assured, will be regulated by market price mechanisms and comply with halal certification requirements set forth by Malaysian authorities. 

The two countries agreed to continue to explore new avenues for collaboration across sectors covering IT and telecom, halal industry, connectivity, green energy, electrical and electronic manufacturing, climate change and agriculture. 

The Pakistani premier’s visit comes a year after Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim’s state visit to Pakistan. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expand bilateral cooperation, with particular focus on strengthening economic and trade ties.

The Malaysian premier said both nations saw potential in deepening ties in defense, agriculture, energy and digital technologies, against the current backdrop of geopolitical uncertainties. 

Speaking to state-run Associated Press of Pakistan, Sardar Tahir, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry head, said both countries can enhance bilateral trade to $5 billion in the next three years. 

Trade between the two countries reached $1.76 billion in 2024, soaring 25.5% year-on-year. Key Malaysian export products include palm oil, petroleum and chemical items, while imports cover textile, apparel, footwear and petroleum items.

The Southeast Asian country aims to increase palm oil exports to Pakistan to fulfil increasing demand within domestic food processing and manufacturing sectors. 

Malaysia and Pakistan established diplomatic relations in 1957, which elevated to a strategic partnership in 2019.