KUALA LUMPUR: Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, Chairman of the Senate, on Saturday addressed a gathering of the Malaysian business community at a dinner hosted in his honour.
In his speech, he highlighted the deep-rooted relationship between Pakistan and Malaysia, emphasising shared values, cultural affinity, and decades of cooperative engagement in political, economic, and social spheres.
He arrived in Malaysia earlier in the day to strengthen bilateral ties and explore new avenues of cooperation. His visit follows his trip in March 2025 for the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers Conference and builds on his previous engagements in Kuala Lumpur as the former prime minister. “The bond between Pakistan and Malaysia runs deep, anchored in mutual respect and long-standing collaboration. While bilateral trade currently stands at approximately US$1.5 billion annually, the full potential of our cooperation remains largely untapped. There are vast opportunities across sectors and industries awaiting visionary investment and collaboration,” he pointed out.
Gilani outlined Pakistan’s growing economic potential, citing its large and youthful population, strategic sectors, and investment-friendly environment. Key areas of opportunity, he noted, include tourism and hospitality, infrastructure and construction, mining and natural resources, agribusiness, the halal industry, and food processing.
He also emphasised the importance of Malaysia’s continued role in bilateral trade, particularly in commodities such as palm oil. To further facilitate investment, Gilani highlighted the role of Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).
