KARACHI: Visa Department of Consulate General of Malaysia in Karachi Pakistan collaborated with Malaysian VLN Pakistan (Pvt.) Limited to celebrate, appreciate and recognize the contribution of Malaysian authorized drop-box agents in Pakistan for promoting Malaysia as the preferred tourist destination. This appreciation celebration was held at Khursheed Mahal, Avari Tower Hotel, Karachi on Friday 29th November 2019 and chief Guest on this occasion was Consul-General of Malaysia in Karachi, Pakistan Mr. Khairul Nazran Abd Rahman.
In her welcome speech Madam Zawiyah Haji Maulud Immigration Attaché at Consulate General of Malaysia in Karachi welcomed all honorable attendees present at the this prestigious event. Mr. Fawad Zia Rahman, CEP of Malaysian VLN Pakistan (Pvt.) Limited also spoke on behalf of Drop-Box Agents.
Chief Guest on the evening Mr. Khairul Nazran Abd Rahman Consul-General of Malaysia in Karachi, Pakistan in his speech welcomed all attendee’s and said that; “this appreciation celebration event is meant to appreciate and recognize the contribution of our Drop-Box agents in promoting Malaysia as the preferred tourist destination. This event looks back at a distinguished past and also looks ahead into a very bright future”.
The Malaysian Consul said; “it is not so often that we have an opportunity of this sort, to come together in a beautiful setting and in a wonderful spirit of friendship. Your very presence here invests this occasion with a special meaning”.
He further added; “to Malaysia, Pakistan is close to our heart despite our geographical distance. We have been engaging each other in the various cooperative activities for the past 62 years. The Malaysian Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad have called the nation to get all Malaysians to work as one team in order to achieve one goal, that is towards a developed nation by 2025. The Government have set in motion, efforts to formulate a new economic model, which is based on innovation, creativity and high value, to lift us into the rank of a high income nation within the decade”.
On development, The Malaysian CG said; “this development brings opportunities to Malaysia and Pakistan. The two countries’ bilateral relations have become very dynamic. Our leaders had successfully laid this foundation. The onus now is on us to realize our leaders’ aspiration. Throughout the various sectors, we consider trade and investment, tourism and education as the three strategic areas we should focus on”.
On trade between the two countries, Mr. Khairul Nazran Abd Rahman said; “Malaysia’s total trade with Pakistan increased by 2.5% to US$ 1.47 billion from US$ 1.34 billion in 2017. Palm oil remained as Malaysia’s important exports item to Pakistan. In 2018, Pakistan imported 1.42 million metric tonnes of palm oil and palm products from Malaysia worth RM3.27 billion, an increase of 4.19% in volume from 1.37 million metric tonnes worth RM3.43 billion in 2017. It is interesting to note that Malaysia’s total trade with Pakistan and India for the year 2018 accounted for 76.7% of Malaysia’s trade with the South Asian countries”.
He further added that; “the second area of focus namely tourism is very relevant to today’s event. Pakistan is an important market for Malaysian tourism industry. In 2018, tourist arrivals from Pakistan stood at 74,458 compared to 53,453 in 2017. This represented an increase of 39.3%. I appreciate the efforts by all of you in this regard. However, we would like to see more Pakistani tourist to visit Malaysia”.
Reason he mentioned for more Pakistani tourist to visit Malaysia is; “we had recently launched the ‘Visit Malaysia Year 2020’ with a target of attracting 30 million tourists and revenue of US$ 25 billion. The year 2020 would be the year of festival across Malaysia to promote our diverse culture and sincere hospitality of Malaysians. With regard to the ‘Malaysia My Second Home’ (MM2H) programme, Pakistan ranked nine (9) in the list of participating countries with a total of 1,020 Pakistani citizens participated in the programme from 2002 to 2018”.
Commenting on third point of his agenda which is education, the Malaysian CG said; “Malaysia is promoting herself as a centre of excellence for education. Pakistani students would find Malaysia a hospitable and safe place to be, with many options of study at all levels of education, to learn from Malaysia’s great diversity, rapid economic development, peaceful and harmonious multicultural society. At present, there are some 6,500 Pakistani students are pursuing their further studies in Malaysia”.
“Speaking of Malaysia’s presence, my team and I have been working with various quarters in expanding the visibility of Malaysian branding. We wish to maintain our pro-business attitude and we wish to see business pursuit beyond agricultural produce. We need to create more innovative and creative ideas on doing business or promoting Malaysia. One way is to reach out and make ourselves more visible to the people of Pakistan”. He added.
On concluding note the Malaysian Consul General said; “now let’s walks the talk. May I call upon Drop-Box Agents to come out with an ambitious but practical Plan of Action for 2020 to enhance the depth and breadth of our tourism cooperation. Visit Malaysia Year 2020 definitely provides you with immense opportunities that you could tap. You may wish to focus on medical tourism and educational tourism. Clearly, through all similarities we have, it is envisaged that we can learn from and support one another in our pursuit to forge developed, successful and harmonious nations”.
