PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia hopes to boost its exports of timber products and other commodities to Pakistan, with the hope of boosting the nation's post-pandemic economic recovery.
In an effort to achieve this, the Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the All-Pakistan Timber Traders Association (APTTA) on Wednesday.
The MoU was signed in Pakistan during Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin's working visit there recently.
In a statement, the MPIC said the ministry was continuously working to increase the market for Malaysian timber and its products through the MTC.
"During my recent visit to Pakistan, we signed an MoU between MTC and one of the main players in the timber industry there, APTTA.
"The MoU is among strategic steps taken by MPIC to increase exports for Malaysian timber products," she said.
This is in line with the ministry's January to June 2022 target to export RM12 billion worth of timber products.
Zuraida said industry players in Pakistan were also briefed on the various opportunities in the Malaysian Agri-commodities sector such as palm oil, rubber, pepper, cocoa and kenaf.
Malaysia and Pakistan are both signatories to the Free Trade Agreement which is important in strengthening the economic sustainability of both countries.
"The MPIC is committed to ensuring the commodities and timber industries in Malaysia continue to grow and also recover following the Covid-19 pandemic," she added.
