Malaysian auto giant Proton, would open its production plant in Pakistan in the first half of 2021 in Karachi.
Both leaders recalled the symbolic ground breaking of the Proton Assembly Plant jointly officiated in Islamabad on 22 March 2019, and were pleased to note the progress made at the facility in Karachi, scheduled for completion in the first half of 2021.
They were further pleased with the joint venture between Malaysia’s Proton Holdings and Pakistan’s Al-Haj Automotive that add value with the commencement of selling Malaysian-made Proton vehicles (CBU) in Pakistan in the second half of 2020, and eventually, assembly and sale of Pakistan-made Proton vehicles (CKD) in Pakistan in the first half of 2021.
The plant in Karachi, would be Proton’s first production facility in the South Asian region.
Last year, the Malaysian government handed over a Proton X70 car to government as a gift to Prime Minister Imran Khan from his Malaysian counterpart Dr Mahathir Mohamad. He had announced gifting of a unit of the Proton X70 to Prime Minister Imran Khan during his visit to Pakistan in March last year.
Apart from investment in auto sector, both countries agreed for an institutional collaboration in the area of halal food and services, and consumer products, including by leveraging on their comparative advantages with a view to increase their global market share in this area.
Both countries will explore new possible areas of cooperation in trade and investment, such as renewable energy, natural resources, aerospace and aeronautical, digital technology, artificial intelligence and e-commerce.