Pakistan To Acquire Malaysia Halal Certificate To Boost Export Of Halal Products

By Fadzli Ramli KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 (Bernama) -- Pakistan is looking into the possibility of getting Malaysian Halal Certificate to boost it's export of halal products to Malaysia especially beef. Pakistan's High Commissioner to Malaysia, Masood Khalid (left) said the price of meat and beef in Pakistan are cheaper and the supply is abundant. "Our meat and beef are cheaper and the Pakistan's reserve (meat and beef) are very high. We have to work together to get Malaysian halal certificate and we don't have any problem supplying halal food because we're Muslim producers," he told Bernama in a special interview in conjunction with the 72nd Pakistan Day celebration on Friday. Masood said that Pakistan hopes to boost its current mutual relationship with Malaysia especially in economic areas. He said said bilateral trade between Pakistan and Malaysia reached US$2.8 billion last year, an increase of 14 per cent compared to the previous year. "From the trade volume only US$257 million was Pakistan's export to Malaysia so the balance of trade tilted in favour of Malaysia. So we're looking to increase export to Malaysia especially rice, mangoes and beef. "We also like to invite more Malaysian companies to expand their business in Pakistan especially in the construction industry and exploring untapped business opportunities in Pakistan such as gems and salt industry," he added. Besides economy, he said Pakistan is also looking to strenghten bilateral ties with Malaysia in education and manpower supply. "We have around 3,500 students in top universities in Malaysia and are hoping to increase it. The majority of our students study in information technology, engineering and natural science. "I'm happy there is an effort to pick up talented top students for the local industry. Currently around 38,000 Pakistanis are working in various industries here...we were happy to supply more skilled and semi-skilled manpower to help Malaysia's development," he said. Masood said Pakistan is also keen to enhance cooperation in the tourism industry where both countries are rich with interesting places to visit. "Besides interesting places, we have many similarities in our rich culture, food and language which we can use to boost our tourism industry," he said. He said energy and green technology is another sector which Pakistan is looking foward to cooperate with Malaysia. "Malaysia is more advanced than us regarding green technology and we're looking for a way to cooperate in developing more green technology. We have a lot of green technology's raw material like paddy husk," he said. Masood said Pakistan also hopes to see more interaction and cooperation between the media from both countries. "I would like to see more Malaysian journalists come to Pakistan to make coverage and vice versa. The people in both countries want to know what happens in each other's region. "Besides the media, I would also like to see more linkage between think-tanks in both countries so that we can develop and go foward together," he added. (photoBERNAMA) MALAYSIA