ISLAMABAD, Nov 3 Pakistan and Malaysia have decided to form a working group to forge lasting trade relations in the field of food, agriculture and livestock, and an agreement to this effect is expected to be signed in Islamabad next month.

The two countries identified areas of cooperation in rice, beef, mutton, mango, oranges, milk and milk-based products for the working group comprising representatives from concerned public and private sectors of the two countries.

Malaysia has shown keen interest to import rice and buffaloes from Pakistan and this desire was communicated to Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmud Qureshi by the Malaysian Minister for Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Dato Haji Noh Bin Omar during a meeting held in Putrajaya (Malaysia). During the talks, the two sides reached the understanding to form the working group, according to a report reaching here on Tuesday.

Foreign Minister Qureshi who is currently visiting Malaysia, invited the Agriculture Minister of Malaysia to visit Pakistan in December.

Accepting the invitation, Dato Haji Noh Bin Omar said Malaysia is keen to import rice and buffaloes from Pakistan. Our public and private sectors will seriously interact with their Pakistani counterparts for import of mango, oranges (kino) in addition to milk and milk-based products, he said.

Mr Qureshi offered Malaysia the services of work force and technical know-how in veterinary from Pakistan to assist Malaysia to raise its own livestock and added that Pakistan can export 'Sahiwal Cow' and 'Neeli Ravi' buffaloes which are famous world over.

Makhdoom Shah Mahmud Qureshi said that Pakistan would welcome Malaysian expertise in processing, packaging and marketing of Pakistani products to Malaysia and other parts of the world, for mutual benefit of both the countries.

Mr Qureshi informed the Malaysian Minister that Pakistan produces high quality Basmati rice which is known in the world for its exceptional taste and aroma, and has surplus production from each year's crop.

He offered Malaysia a steady and consistent supply of frozen beef and mutton, saying that Pakistan being a meat-consuming Muslim country, has a world class mechanism for processing and packaging of halal beef and mutton.

Malaysia can overcome its shortage by importing beef and mutton from Pakistan, he suggests.