Pakistani PM Shaukat arrives in KL for FTA talks
The Star, Malaysia
Pakistani PM Shaukat arrives in KL for FTA talks
BY PAUL GABRIEL
5 May 2005
THE proposed Malaysia-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (FTA) moves closer to becoming a reality with Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz’s arrival here today to talk terms.
The FTA negotiations are scheduled to begin by December. The move was announced during Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s visit to Islamabad in February.
Following the announcement, the first round of talks at the officers-level was hosted in Kuala Lumpur last month, with the next round planned in the Pakistani capital.
The aim is to conclude the early round of talks by July to enable a “mini FTA” between both countries, which now adhere to a preferential trade agreement.
Aziz said he was confident of forging closer business ties with Malaysia, and attracting more Malaysian investments to his country, with his visit.
“Malaysian entrepreneurs are very active in Pakistan, and your corporations like Petronas and Tenaga Nasional have already set up base there. Dancom is also one of the two Malaysian telecommunications firms which have expanded to Pakistan.
“We are in the midst of an economic boom and need new industries and more hotels to be built. Malaysian construction firms have a lot to do in Pakistan,” he added in a recent interview in Islamabad.
Aziz’s delegation will include several key members of Pakistani industry. They include Pakistan Software Export Board managing director Dr Aaarmir Matin, International Multi Group of Companies chairman Sheikh Amjad Rashid, Muslim Commercial Bank chairman Mian Muhammad Mansha, Gultex Group chairman Bashir Ali Muhammad, Islamabad Housing Project and Pharmaceuticals chief executive Dr Muhammad Amjad, Allied Bank chairman Naeem Mukhtar, and Deewan Group vice-chairman Yousof Deewan.
The prime minister is also bringing along nine Cabinet Ministers, who include Food and Agriculture Minister Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan, IT and Telecommunications Minister Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, and Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan.
Aziz said he would further discuss with Abdullah about the offer to have Bank Islam set up a branch in Pakistan.
“We also want Malaysia Airlines to increase the number of flights to Pakistan and fly direct to Lahore.
“With Malaysia having agreed to accept Pakistan as a source country for labour, there will be lots of Pakistani workers in Malaysia and this will create the necessary air traffic,” he added.
