KEY POINTS
- PM Sharif invites Malaysian investors to explore opportunities in Pakistan’s
- The premier assured full facilitation through the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC)
- Analysts see the outreach as a move to attract FDI in Pakistan’s digital economy
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pledged to strengthen economic and trade relations with Malaysia, outlining several initiatives during talks with a delegation from the Malaysian business group Gobi Partners, according to Radio Pakistan
Speaking to the delegations in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, PM Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to fostering cooperation in sectors such as fintech, e-commerce, IT services, and startups.
He described the recently held Pakistan-Malaysia Business and Investment Conference as “a welcome step towards promoting business-to-business linkages” between the two countries, Pakistan’s state-broadcaster added.
The Prime Minister assured the delegation that the government is working to improve the ease of doing business, and emphasised that the Special Investment Facilitation Council will provide full support and facilities to foreign investors. He noted that mobilising both domestic and international capital is a top priority.
“Pakistan is ready to welcome international business groups interested in investing in technology sectors, including artificial intelligence,” he expressed and remarked on reforms underway to better support early-stage investors via enhanced infrastructure and investment facilitation.
Implications & Outlook
Analysts believe that this reaffirmation could lead to increased Malaysian investment in Pakistan’s digital economy and technology sectors. Improved bilateral trade infrastructure and investor facilitation may help Pakistan attract more foreign direct investment, especially in higher-growth sectors.
Risks include ensuring that promised reforms are implemented swiftly; that regulatory and policy consistency is maintained, and that macroeconomic stability supports investor confidence. The events to watch include follow-ups to commitments made, agreements signed at the conference, and Malaysian investment activity in targeted sectors.
