Pakistan seeks Indonesia’s support to join ASEAN

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KARACHI – Pakistan is keen to join the Association of South East Nations (ASEAN) and is looking forward to Indonesian support in this regard. This was stated by Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Saeed Shafiq, in a discussion with Consul General of Indonesia Rossalis Rusman Adenan, at the second sub-committee meeting of diplomatic affairs here on Monday.
Rossalis Rusman said that volume of bilateral trade had hit a high of $1.2 billion in 2008. However, it declined in the last two years as a result of delays in the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) finalisation.
The negotiation is scheduled to resume this year and it is hoped that the PTA will be signed in the near future.
It will boost bilateral trade volume by around $2.0 billion in the upcoming years, he added. Rossalis further said that trade volume of Indonesia and Pakistan is still below its potential. Businessmen of the two countries should be encouraged to increase their contact for mutually benefited business relations.
Indonesian chairmanship in ASEAN could be the right time for accelerating realisation of Pakistan’s bidding to become an ASEAN full dialogue partner. Pakistan should do more to take advantage from ASEAN and from the regionalism process, taking place in the East Asian region, Rossalis added. The KCCI President said that signing of the Preferential Trade Agreement PTA would bridge the gap of business communities from both Pakistan and Indonesia.
It would help Indonesia increase its export of crude palm oil to Pakistan whereas Pakistan can export its value added textiles, carpets, fabrics, leather, chemicals and surgical equipments to Indonesia. He said that PTA would be the first step towards negotiation of a broader FTA – Free Trade Agreement. Saaed Shafiq also called Rossalis for another steadfast participation in KCCI’s flagship i.e. My-Karachi Exhibition.
The president praised Indonesia’s active participation last year in the exhibition. Senior Vice President Talat Mahmood emphasised that bilateral relationship should be boosted and avenues be chalked out for a more productive relationship. KCCI Vice President Junaid Esmail Makda called for a MoU so that activities could become a functional status.
Rossalis believed that KCCI should chalk an agreement with Jakarta Chamber of Commerce (JCC) to reach the business community of Indonesia. Diplomatic Affair’s sub-committee Chairman Asif Nisar overviewed Pakistan and Indonesia agreement on abolition of diplomatic and official visas, paving way for enhanced exchanges.
He said that signing of PTA and relaxation of visa requirements would boost relationship and enhance linkages.