Malaysia’s carmaker Proton to establish first assembly plant in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Malaysian carmaker Proton will establish a factory in Pakistan that will be the first in any South Asian country.

It will be the joint venture between the Malaysian company and its local partner Alhaj Automotive, said Mohammad Ibrahim Malaysian high commissioner in Islamabad.

He said both the companies signed an agreement last year, adding that Proton is eyeing a huge potential in the joint effort.

“In terms of the potential of the Pakistan auto market, Proton feels it is big. That’s why Proton has agreed to work with Alhaj to build an assembly plant near Karachi in Sindh.

This is significant because it will be Proton’s first plant in South Asia and the population of this country alone is 210 million,” Ikram was quoted by Malaysian media as saying during a media talk in Islamabad.

The Malaysian journalists are in Islamabad ahead of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad who is due to arrive in Pakistan today.

The Malaysian leader would be the guest of honor at a military parade to commemorate Pakistan Day on Marcy 23.

He was invited by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan who visited Malaysia earlier this year.

The Malaysian prime minister and his Pakistani counterpart are likely to officiate a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony of the Proton factory during Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s visit.