On Monday, 27 May 2024, His Excellency Amb. Dato' Azhar Mazlan visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI). On arrival, he was extended a warm reception by Engr. M. Azhar-Ul-Islam Zafar, Vice President of ICCI. Amb. Dato’ Azhar was accompanied by Mr. Mohd Syafik Firdaus bin Hasbullah, Counsellor and Mr. Muhammad Zulasri bin Rosdi, First Secretary of the High Commission.
The primary objective of the visit was to enhance bilateral trade relations while fostering economic cooperation between the two nations. The Vice President of the Chamber introduced the High Commissioner with the Secretary General and office bearers of the Chamber. While addressing the business community, Amb. Dato' Azhar stated that Malaysia and have existing potential of USD12 billion bilateral trade for which both have to work hard and pool efforts. He mentioned that the current trade volume between Pakistan and Malaysia is USD1.8 billion, which was less than the mutual trade potential and that Islamabad Chamber could play a significant role in its advancement.
Amb. Dato' Azhar further stated that there were abundant prospects for development in the halal industry between the two brotherly countries, and the private sector of both sides should play their full role by taking tangible steps and Malaysia was ready to extend full cooperation to Pakistan to become a regional hub of halal industry.
The Ambassador further stated that Pakistan and Malaysia are strategic partners and this partnership is very important in the development and economic prosperity of both the countries. He further said that Malaysia always welcomes foreign labour and the labourers who have legally came from Pakistan are playing their role in the economy of Malaysia, whose number is approximately 200,000. He also mentioned that Pakistan was a potential market of 240 million which can become a major economic and trading power along with ASEAN countries and extended Malaysia’s cooperation in giving access to ASEAN market.
Senior businessman and former President FPCCI Zubair Ahmed Malik highlighted the historical economic and trade relations between Pakistan and Malaysia by underscoring the need for frequent exchange of think tanks of both the countries for further the existing relationship.
