MULTAN: Indonesian ambassador in Pakistan Adam Mulawarman Tugio has said that Pakistan and Indonesia have always had ideal relations. Both are the two largest Islamic countries in terms of population with a combined population of 500 million, which is a potential market for economic and trade cooperation and could open new avenues for bilateral economic cooperation.
These views were expressed by him when he called on Khawaja Jalaluddin Roomi the country’s leading industrialist and former president of Multan and Dera Ghazi Khan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, at his camp office. Bilateral trade volume between the two countries is $3.9 billion, which is likely to increase further in the near future, he said.
He said that both sides are working to enhance bilateral economic, trade, diplomatic, political and cultural cooperation, and new avenues of cooperation will open up in this regard in the future.He said that Indonesia could provide Pakistan with opportunities for trade and economic activities in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEANs) market with a population of 623 million, which would enhance the growth of trade between the two countries. Indonesia can be a gateway for Pakistan in ASEAN countries in this regard, he said.
Khawaja Jalaluddin Roomi warmly welcomed the Indonesian Ambassador to Multan and appreciated the visit to different cities of South Punjab saying that this way the business relations between Pakistan and Indonesia will be further strengthened. Explaining the social welfare projects of Jalaluddin Roomi Foundation Khawaja Jalaluddin Roomi said ,” we are currently working on various public health projects with clean water supply in different areas of South Punjab, Balochistan and Sindh. Adam Mulawarman Tugio appreciated the services of Roomi foundation for the cause of humanity and he offered his support on the behalf of Indonesian Government and said that our services are available every time.
The ambassador said that regular awareness was needed for the promotion of tourism in the two countries, for which people-to-people contacts on both sides would have to be enhanced. He said that cooperation between education institutions at both sides would also enhance the bilateral relations. He said that the world is now in a geo-economic mood and there is a need for economic diplomacy between Pakistan and Indonesia.
The Indonesian ambassador added that it is the policy of our government to trade with Pakistan in such a way that we can strengthen the textile industry and other trade sectors through technical support. The Indonesian ambassador further said that we are currently working on e-employment programs and youth exchange projects between the two countries so that better trade relations can be established between the two countries.
Khawaja Muhammad Jalaluddin Roomi said on this occasion that trade and culture with Indonesia is Pakistan’s first priority. This is the reason why Indonesia has supported us in every era. Rather, they have stood by Pakistan’s side in difficult times.
