KARACHI: A delegation of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has visited Indonesia to attend an information session on Asia, Pacific and Africa which was attended by renowned envoys and around 100 representatives of various business communities from the region.
The delegations, comprising Senior Vice President KCCI Muhammad Ibrahim Kasumbi and former President KCCI, Mian Abrar Ahmed and accompanied by Consul General of Indonesia in Karachi Hadi Santoso and Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan Chairman Rafiq Suleman, visited Indonesia on an invitation extended by the Indonesian CG in Karachi to look for possibilities of enhancing trade between Pakistan and Indonesia.
Besides promoting KCCI’s forthcoming My Karachi Exhibition, the delegation particularly focused on seeking ways and means of how to promote trade between the two countries.
Highlighting some of the details about the visit on his return from Jakarta, Mian Abrar Ahmed informed that KCCI delegation and REAP Chairman held a meeting with National Export Development (NED) Director General Nus Nuzulia Ishak and NED Director Dody Edward in which the possibility of enhancing trade by focusing more on diversification of Pakistan’s export to Indonesia was discussed in detail.
Mian Abrar further advised that both countries should not just remain limited to exporting traditional goods only, but must focus on diversifying the product range. He said that in this regard, Pakistan should focus on exporting textiles, value-added products, lentils, sugar and other commodities which are produced in bulk across Pakistan. He added that the two countries can also collaborate in defense production.
KCCI Senior Vice President Muhammad Ibrahim Kasumbi suggested that this was an area which can be prioritised for enhancing trade between the two countries as Pakistan produces high-quality rice, particularly the IRRI-6 which was widely being consumed in Indonesia. However, due to complex procedures, Pakistani exporters have not been able to enhance exports of this important commodity to Indonesia, he added.
It is pertinent to mention that bilateral trade between Pakistan and Indonesia is worth around $1 billion. Pakistan exports Indonesia kinnow, seafood, textiles, cotton yarn, medical equipment, rice, wheat and carpets and Indonesia exports palm oil to Pakistan.
