TFD Report
KARACHI: The Pakistan-Malaysia Friendship Association (PMFA) celebrated its 4th Appreciation Awards Ceremony, reaffirming the enduring partnership between Pakistan and Malaysia, built on friendship, trust, and expanding economic cooperation.
The event was attended by Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal, Shahid Jawed Qureshi, President of PMFA, Malaysia’s Consul General H.E. Herman Hardynata Ahmad, Khalid Tawab, Chairman Tawab Group, Abdul Rasheed Jan Muhammad, CEO MAPAK Edible Oil, and other prominent business leaders. A special tribute was paid to former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, who sent a message for the occasion.
As chief guest, Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal emphasized the urgent need to strengthen trade and investment ties between the two nations. He commended PMFA’s role in promoting business-to-business (B2B) links, noting their potential to unlock significant new opportunities.
PMFA President Shahid Jawed Qureshi welcomed guests and highlighted Malaysia’s current Chairmanship of ASEAN under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability.” With over 300 ASEAN meetings planned this year, he stressed that Pakistan could benefit in areas including trade, investment, education, and tourism.
He noted that bilateral trade currently stands at $1.5 billion, with Pakistan exporting rice, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and seafood, while Malaysia exports palm oil, machinery, and chemicals. He called for revisiting the Free Trade Agreement to address tariff imbalances and non-tariff barriers affecting Pakistani goods in Malaysian and ASEAN markets.
Malaysia’s Consul General in Karachi, H.E. Herman Hardynata Ahmad, praised PMFA’s role in advancing bilateral trade. He emphasized that Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 presents an opportunity to expand cooperation with partners like Pakistan, reaffirming Malaysia’s commitment to regional economic collaboration.
Awards were presented to outstanding contributors in trade, industry, and corporate leadership, including Abdul Rasheed Jan Muhammad (Director, Bulk Management Rice Project), Mukhtar Hussain Dossani (CEO, Dossani Enterprises), Muhammad Moiz Anjarwala (Managing Director, Empire Group of Companies), Engr. Shahbaz Qureshi (Director Operations, Shahbaz International), Sheikh Umer Rehan (Chairman, Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association), Sharjeel Goplani (CEO, Sharjeel and Brothers), and Air Asia X Berhad Malaysia.
The post Pakistan, Malaysia strengthen trade ties at PMFA awards with ASEAN backing appeared first on The Financial Daily.
