Malaysian construction firms get Pakistan invite

KUALA LUMPUR: The Pakistani government has invited Malaysian construction companies to join in its re-construction efforts.

In a statement here on Wednesday, Feb 9, High Commissioner to Malaysia Masood Khalid said Pakistan faced devastating floods last year, which had damaged infrastructure like roads, bridges, communication network, schools and hospitals.    

"The country is also brimming with investment opportunities in sectors such as power, energy, construction, halal, education and agriculture.

"This can be gauged from the fact that over 600 foreign companies are earning good profits from their investments in Pakistan," he said.

Masood said this after a meeting with the News Straits Times Press editorial management team, headed by its group editor Datuk Syed Nadzri Syed Harun here on Wednesday.

He said over 30 top ranking companies of Pakistan were expected to attend the "Investment Opportunities in Pakistan" seminar.

"They are expected to interact with Malaysian counterparts to build business linkages and contacts to facilitate and explore business and investment opportunities in Pakistan," he said.    

The seminar, jointly organised by Board of Investment of Pakistan and Malaysian Investment Development Authority, will be held on March 31, 2011.    

Masood said after the signing of free trade agreement in 2007, bilateral trade between Pakistan and Malaysia was on an upward trajectory and within three years has touched the US$2 billion (RM6.08 billion) mark.

"Pakistan and Malaysia have enhanced their cooperation in agriculture, veterinary and halal sectors," he said.

He said two memoranda of understanding and one letter of intent were signed between the two countries last year to enhance cooperation in agriculture sector.

In the veterinary sector, he said, Pakistan was helping Malaysia establish a pilot project to breed Nili Ravi Bufflo of Pakistan.

On the halal sector, he said, Pakistan would start exporting beef to Malaysia and a Malaysian delegation was expected to attend International Halal Conference from March 1-3, 2011 in Karachi. — Bernama