Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh attended the Malaysia–Pakistan Business Engagement 2026: Strengthening Trade, Investment and Business Linkages as Guest of Honour at the High Commission of Malaysia in Islamabad, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation, expanding bilateral trade and promoting investment partnerships between the two brotherly countries.
The event brought together representatives of the public and private sectors, business leaders, investors and economic stakeholders to explore new avenues for bilateral trade, investment and business-to-business collaboration. Ambassador Dato’ Mohammad Azhar Mazlan, High Commissioner of Malaysia to Pakistan, welcomed the Federal Minister and appreciated him for taking time out of his busy schedule to attend the engagement. He highlighted the longstanding and cordial relations between Malaysia and Pakistan and emphasised the considerable potential for further expanding commercial and economic cooperation.
Addressing the gathering, the Malaysian High Commissioner underscored the importance of translating the two countries’ longstanding friendship into stronger trade and investment partnerships. He noted Pakistan’s significance as a major trading partner in South Asia and expressed confidence that bilateral trade could be substantially increased, with an ambition to expand its value upto approximately US$1.5 billion to US$5 billion through enhanced commercial engagement and greater private-sector participation.
Ambassador Dato’ Mohammad Azhar Mazlan identified artificial intelligence, education, manufacturing, goods and services as promising areas for collaboration, emphasising that Malaysia recognises Pakistan’s economic potential and strategic importance. He also highlighted Pakistan’s geographical position as a gateway to Central Asian markets and its predominantly young population as important strengths for future economic cooperation. Referring to opportunities in edible oil and halal products, he encouraged Pakistani businesses and investors to explore Malaysia, citing Pakistani investment in halal gelatin production in Malaysia as an example of the potential for successful cross-border business ventures.
The High Commissioner further emphasised the importance of pursuing mutually beneficial partnerships, stating that a win-win approach should remain central to bilateral economic engagement. He described Pakistan as a strategic partner for trade and investment and expressed Malaysia’s interest in exploring additional opportunities for cooperation across sectors.
In his address, Federal Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh thanked the Malaysian High Commissioner and the High Commission of Malaysia for the invitation and for providing an important platform to bring together business leaders and stakeholders from both countries. He described Malaysia as a brotherly country and reaffirmed that Pakistan attaches great importance to its longstanding friendship and relationship with Malaysia.
The Minister noted that Pakistan and Malaysia have maintained cordial relations since the early years of Pakistan’s independence, with cooperation extending across multiple fields. He appreciated Malaysia’s impressive progress in economic development, technology and other sectors, and expressed Pakistan’s desire to work even more closely with Malaysia to translate the longstanding bilateral relationship into tangible economic gains.
Sharing his own experience of commercial engagement with Malaysia, the Minister said he had visited the country numerous times and had personally conducted business with a Malaysian company, including in the rice trade. He observed that direct business experience and established commercial relationships provide a strong foundation for expanding bilateral trade, encouraging investment and building lasting partnerships between the two countries.
Highlighting Pakistan’s economic potential, the Minister noted that the country has a population of approximately 250 million, making it one of the world’s largest consumer markets, with a substantial young population that offers significant opportunities for industrial growth, innovation, entrepreneurship and human resource development. He emphasised that Pakistan’s demographic strength, strategic location and entrepreneurial talent can complement Malaysia’s technological advancement and industrial capabilities.
The Minister also highlighted Pakistan’s strategic geographical position as a gateway to landlocked Central Asian countries, noting that the country’s connectivity and access to regional markets offer considerable opportunities for trade and investment. He underscored the potential of Karachi and Gwadar ports in facilitating regional commerce and strengthening Pakistan’s role in connecting South Asia with Central Asia and other regional markets. He further noted the growing importance of engagement with countries in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) region.
Referring to Pakistan’s resilience and international standing, the Minister stated that the country had demonstrated its strength and resolve in the face of challenges, while its role in promoting peace and stability had attracted international attention. He emphasised that Pakistan seeks to build on its international engagement and strategic partnerships to advance economic cooperation, regional connectivity and shared prosperity.
Turning to future areas of economic collaboration, the Minister identified information technology, artificial intelligence, advanced technology, manufacturing, value-added industries, mining and minerals, agriculture, food processing and halal products as sectors offering substantial potential for joint ventures and investment. He noted that Malaysia’s technological expertise and industrial experience could complement Pakistan’s natural resources, workforce, consumer market and emerging business opportunities.
The Minister stressed that Pakistan welcomes high-quality Malaysian investment that contributes to industrial development, technology transfer, employment generation and export growth. He invited Malaysian companies to explore commercially viable opportunities in Pakistan and assured them that the Board of Investment stands ready to facilitate investors, support their business plans and coordinate with relevant government stakeholders to address their requirements.
Highlighting investment opportunities in Special Economic Zones (SEZs), the Minister referred to the substantial industrial potential of the Bin Qasim area in Karachi, where approximately 6,000 acres of land offer opportunities for industrial development and investment. He noted that SEZs provide an important platform for investors seeking to establish manufacturing operations, benefit from available investment incentives and develop export-oriented businesses. He encouraged Malaysian companies to explore these opportunities in partnership with Pakistani businesses.
The Minister further highlighted the Government of Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to introduce regulatory reforms, improve the ease of doing business and create a more facilitative environment for domestic and foreign investors. He said that the Board of Investment is working to streamline business processes, improve coordination among relevant institutions and facilitate investors throughout their investment journey.
Emphasising that investment promotion extends beyond attracting new investors, the Minister reiterated the importance of supporting existing investors, encouraging business expansion and building long-term commercial relationships. He assured Malaysian investors that the Board of Investment would extend facilitation and assistance in exploring opportunities, establishing local partnerships and pursuing viable investment projects in Pakistan.
The Minister also underscored the enormous, yet not fully realised, potential of Pakistan’s young population. He noted that stronger cooperation with Malaysia in technology, education, skills development, manufacturing and entrepreneurship could help unlock this potential while creating new opportunities for businesses and professionals in both countries.
Encouraging greater private-sector engagement, the Minister called for stronger business-to-business linkages, regular interaction between chambers of commerce and closer cooperation among trade promotion agencies, investors and relevant government institutions. He emphasised that sustained engagement between businesses is essential to converting discussions into concrete investment projects, expanded trade and mutually beneficial economic outcomes.
Concluding his remarks, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh invited Malaysian business leaders and investors to visit Pakistan, explore its diverse investment opportunities and develop partnerships with Pakistani counterparts. He reaffirmed that Pakistan is ready to welcome Malaysian investors and facilitate commercially viable initiatives that strengthen bilateral economic relations.
The event provided an important platform for exchanging views on trade and investment opportunities, identifying potential areas of cooperation and encouraging stronger institutional and business linkages between Malaysia and Pakistan. Both countries share considerable potential to expand commercial engagement, develop joint ventures and strengthen their presence in regional and global markets through sustained cooperation.
The Board of Investment remains committed to promoting Pakistan as an attractive investment destination, facilitating international investors and strengthening economic partnerships that contribute to sustainable growth, industrial development, employment generation and shared prosperity.
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