KUALA LUMPUR: As Malaysia is reopening its doors soon, the huge market of Pakistan can be one of the targets for Malaysian investors, says Amna Baloch, the High Commissioner of Pakistan to Malaysia.

Most Malaysians only know Pakistan as a Muslim country but are unaware of the close relations between Malaysia and Pakistan in trade and culture, she said.

Pakistan established official ties with Malaysia in 1957, both being members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Both countries signed trade agreements and various business collaborations, and bilateral trade had been growing steadily over the years, she said.

This also included courtesy visits between government leaders and diplomats from both countries, she added.

Baloch described the close ties of both countries as brotherhood.

Pakistan is the second largest supplier of rice, onion, potatoes and fabrics for Malaysia.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected various industries, trade between Pakistan and Malaysia has continued to expand steadily as a whole.

“I’m looking forward to an even closer collaboration between both countries and stronger ties in future,” she said.

Pakistan is also Malaysia’s third largest palm oil buyer.

Malaysian company FGV Holdings Bhd, one of the largest investors in Pakistan, operates a palm oil refinery plant through a joint venture with Pakistani company Westbury Group, as well as a petroleum jetty at Port Qasim and bulk storage for edible oil.

The Edotco Group under telco giant Axiata also spent millions to acquire as well as erect telecommunication towers before leasing them to local telcos.

Malaysian car manufacturer Proton is among of the most popular car brands in Pakistan, the high commissioner said, adding that Proton X-70 had just been launched in her country.

“Interfaith harmony is one of the policies promoted by our government… and Pakistanis are guaranteed full religious freedom although we are an Islamic country.”

“Interfaith harmony is one of the policies promoted by the Pakistani government, including promoting the Buddhist heritage and arts.

“Although Pakistan is an Islamic country, its citizens are guaranteed full religious freedom. There are Christians, Hindus and Sikhs in the country.”

An international conference on Buddhism along with an art festival was held in Islamabad in mid-March, with Buddhist scholars, artists and devotees throughout the world flocking to the Pakistani capital to explore the sacred Buddhist sites and philosophy.

A delegation of ten members from Buddhist group Fo Guang Shan Malaysia attended the conference and visited the Buddhist heritage sites in Pakistan.

Baloch is of the view that Malaysia and Pakistan share many cultural similarities.

“I feel that Pakistanis can understand and adapt to the Malaysian culture easily while Malaysians will feel at home in Pakistan as we share similar values and respect each other,” she asserted.

There are currently about 39,000 Pakistanis in Malaysia, based on the statistics from the Immigration Department of Malaysia. Of the total, 28,000 are foreign workers engaged in construction, manufacturing and services industries. Some of them hold talent passes and some are students studying at local universities.

“We are constantly keeping in touch with the Malaysian government. As Malaysia is reopening its doors, we hope to see more Pakistanis working in various sectors here, including the plantation sector,” she concluded.