Pakistan and Malaysia Strengthen Meat Sector Cooperation

Strategic Insights -

Federal Minister Jam Kamal Khan led a meeting on Pakistan--Malaysia Cooperation in the Meat Sector to review progress on enhancing Pakistan's meat exports to Malaysia. The meeting aimed to develop a comprehensive policy framework for the sector, ensuring Pakistan's competitiveness, compliance standards, and supply consistency. Pakistan's current potential for meat exports to Malaysia is around USD 200 million, but achieving this target requires addressing constraints such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and the prohibition of bone-in meat exports.

Key Takeaways:

  • The meeting aimed to review progress on enhancing Pakistan's meat exports to Malaysia and develop a comprehensive policy framework for the sector.
  • Pakistan's current potential for meat exports to Malaysia is around USD 200 million, but achieving this target requires immediate action to address constraints such as FMD and the prohibition of bone-in meat exports.
  • SAPM Haroon Akhtar proposed a two-step approach to achieve the USD 200 million export goal: an immediate report within four days and a long-term policy framework within ten days.
  • Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain assured full support from the Ministry of National Food Security and Research in addressing disease control and improving livestock standards.
  • Four committees have been formulated to address key areas: disease control, breed improvement, feedlot fattening, and government facilitation measures.
  • The Sindh Government will be engaged in the process given the importance of Karachi's port facilities for meat exports.
  • Pakistan's competitiveness is affected because Indian exporters can utilize bone-in meat, while Pakistan must export boneless meat due to FMD restrictions.

Statistics:

  • Pakistan's current potential for meat exports to Malaysia is around USD 200 million.
  • The target for meat exports to Malaysia is to be achieved through a two-step approach: immediate action and a long-term policy framework.
  • Four days have been given to produce an immediate report outlining measures for achieving the USD 200 million export goal.
  • Ten days have been given to develop a long-term policy framework to guide sustainable growth of the meat export sector.

Sources:

  • Press Information Department, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of Pakistan