This news is also reported in today's Daily Ummat.
Malaysia considering to purchase JF-17 Thunder from Pakistan: Malaysian HC
ISLAMABAD, Dec 16 (APP):-
Malaysia was considering as one of the option to purchase JF-17 Thunder jet fighters from Pakistan and deal in this regard would be finalised between the two countries after completing required formalities.
This was stated by the High Commissioner of Malaysia to Pakistan, H.E. Dato' Dr. Hasrul Sani bin Mujtabar here on Wednesday in an interview with APP.
The High Commissioner said that Pakistan and Malaysia were enjoying excellent relations in the defence sector as a result of Joint Committee on Defence of both the brotherly countries which played as a very active forum.
Responding to a question that Malaysia wanted to purchase how many JF-17 Thunder from Pakistan, the High Commissioner said that "this jet fighter is considered an excellent production of Pakistan in the defence sector and decision about numbers would be taken very soon by the Malaysian government".
About Pakistan-Malaysia bilateral relations, H.E. Dato' Dr. Hasrul Sani expressed his satisfaction over the existing bilateral relations and said that both the brotherly countries were enjoying cordial and fraternal bilateral relations especially in the field of trade, economy and defence beside others.
Talking about Pakistan as a trade partner he said that Pakistan was one of the largest trade partner of Malaysia with a total trade volume of more than two billion US dollars and that could be enhanced further in the times to come.
Responding to a question about main sectors of the trade between Pakistan and Malaysia, the High Commissioner said that Malaysian trade with Pakistan ranged from energy sector to infrastructure and palm oil to service sector.
When asked about Malaysian investment in Pakistan he said that Malaysian companies were very keen to invest in different sectors of Pakistan but they were reluctant due to security situation in the country.
Now, Malaysian investors may invest in Pakistan again as the security situation has improved owing to the efforts of the government especially after the success of the operation Zarb-e-Azb against terrorists, the High Commissioner observed.
He said that Malaysian investors were interested to invest in various sectors especially in energy sector, oil and gas, mining, infrastructure and even in plantation of palm oil trees in the coastal areas of Pakistan through joint ventures.
Malaysian companies were looking for joint ventures with Pakistani companies through chambers of commerce to invest in mining and energy sectors especially in Hydro Power projects, the High Commissioner said.
Giving example of revival of Malaysian investment in the Pakistan he said that one of the largest companies, PETRONAS was considering to come back to Pakistan for investment in various sectors including energy, oil and gas, hydro Power and infrastructure.
Responding to a question that what should be the strategy of Pakistan to attract foreign investment, he said the government of Pakistan should provide proper infrastructure, good banking system besides one window services to international companies to attract them for investment. ?
Continuing, he said that many Malaysian and other international companies were interested to invest in various projects in Gwadar but could not come due to non-availability of proper infrastructure and facilities.
When asked about the recently announced China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the High Commissioner said that, "Pakistan is a blessed country with an important strategic position and it should take maximum advantage from this position for the development of the country and betterment of the nation through economic revolution".
"We are happy over the announcement of CPEC with a total volume of investment more than US dollars 40 billion and this project will attract multi billion dollars further investment to Pakistan as it is being considered one of the biggest indicator for the better economic future of Pakistan", he commented.
"CPEC will change the entire economy of Pakistan and it will be a huge project which will open many windows of development in Pakistan. It will not only be beneficial for Pakistan and China but for the entire region as well as whole Asia", he maintained.
The High Commissioner also appreciated efforts of Pakistan for bringing peace in Afghanistan and lauded its role for holding Heart of Asia Conference. He hoped there would be a permanent peace and stability in Afghanistan due to the efforts of international countries especially neighbouring countries.
Pakistan should also focus on enhancing its trade relations with ASEAN countries as there was a great scope of exporting Pakistani goods especially rice beside other items to ASEAN countries, the High Commissioner suggested.
Malaysia was the largest importer of rice and mangoes from Pakistan he said, adding, and, was focusing on some other items like meat and other halal foods.
Regarding high level visits between the two countries, he said invitations had already been exchanged at Prime Ministers' level and expected it would be materialised by the first half of next year.
He also disclosed that the High Commission of Malaysia would very soon extend the invitation to President of Pakistan to visit Malaysia.
Regarding flow of Pakistani students to Malaysia, he said right now more than 4,000 Pakistani students are studying in various Malaysian educational institutions and he expected more in the coming years.
Malaysia had become a hub of education sector and more than 100,000 (one lac) foreign students are studying in Malaysia right now.
Talking about tourism opportunities in Malaysia, he said that about 80,000 Pakistani tourists are visiting Malaysia annually and there was numerous scope of more tourists to visit Malaysian.
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