Total trade between Indonesia and Pakistan stood at US$1.69 billion on September 30, 2014, depicting a year-on-year increase of 60 percent, said Consul General of Republic of Indonesia, Hadi Santoso during his visit to Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).
“We are fairly optimistic that the total trade figures could reach at least 2.3 up to 2.4 billion US dollars at the end of this year,” he said during the meeting arranged on the occasion.
The Indonesian Envoy was of the opinion that rapidly developing bilateral economic ties between Indonesia and Pakistan offer prospects to further forge the bonds of friendship and to establish broad based commercial partnership.
KCCI President, Iftikhar Ahmed Vohra, Senior Vice President KCCI, Muhammad Ibrahim Kasumbi, Vice President KCCI, Agha Shahab Ahmed Khan, Former President KCCI, Majyd Aziz, and KCCI Managing Committee members attended the meeting.
The Indonesian CG Hadi Santoso further commented that bilateral economic relations between Indonesia and Pakistan will be more strengthened in the years ahead since Indonesia was the largest economy in South-East Asian region.
Indonesia is also member of G-20 that is expected to become the hub of future economic activities while Pakistan was the second largest economy of the region and was one of the emerging markets in the world.
“Indonesia and Pakistan are gifted with tremendous resources and there is a great potential for cooperation in trade sector and what we need is to utilize that potential to the maximum”, he said.
On behalf of government of Indonesia, Hadi Santoso, while conveying deepest condolence and sympathies to Pakistan, particularly the families of victims of the terrorists attack at ArmyPublic School in Peshawar, said that Indonesian government condemns the inhuman act which cannot be justified for any reason.
“Indonesian government expressed their support and solidarity to the people and government of Pakistan in this difficult situation”, he added.
During the meeting, Indonesian CG also invited a representative from KCCI to accompany him during his visit to Indonesia in order to share information about “My Karachi – Oasis of Harmony exhibition,” to Indonesian business communities, trade bodies and local governments.
He assured full cooperation to Karachi Chamber in a common effort to work together for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
Earlier, welcoming the Indonesian Consul General, President KCCI Iftikhar Ahmed Vohra said that bilateral trade relations between Pakistan and Indonesia were expanding at fast track and the two countries can further enhance their bilateral trade.
This can be done, he said by exporting products like wheat, fresh fruits, nuts, ready-made garments, finished and semi-finished leather, fish and fish products, cotton fabrics, hide and skins, surgical goods, handicrafts and sports goods etc.
Halal Food industry also holds good potential of enhancing trade between the countries, added KCCI President.
Vohra suggested that Indonesian companies can also explore possibility of investment in energy sector and real estate projects in Pakistan.
The business communities of both countries must join hands and undertake joint ventures in order to fully explore and benefit from these sectors, he added.
Iftikhar Vohra stressed that both, Pakistani and Indonesian governments must play their due role of facilitators to bring the business communities of the two countries closer.