KARACHI: Indonesian Consul General Hadi Santoso has stressed the need for raising awareness about the huge opportunities of bilateral trade and highlighted the bright prospects of establishing long-term trade partnership between the corporate sectors of Pakistan and Indonesia.
Exchanging views during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Indonesian Consul General hoped that close two-way interaction and visits by the businessmen of the two countries will provide strength to cooperative trade relations and create new linkages between business communities.
Board of Investment Director General Nasreen Ali, KCCI President Younus Muhammad Bashir, KCCI Senior Vice President Zia Ahmed Khan, KCCI Vice President Muhammad Naeem Sharif, former president AQ Khalil, Abdullah Zaki, and Khalid Firoz, and Ibrahim Kasumbi along with KCCI managing committee members were also present on the occasion.
Hadi Santoso further stated that since assuming charge as Indonesian Consul General in Karachi, it has been his desire to further accelerate and expand the rapidly growing diplomatic and economic ties between Indonesia and Pakistan, particularly in Sindh Province with the support and cooperation of all business associations, including the KCCI.
He was of the opinion that Indonesia and Pakistan were gifted with tremendous resources and there was a great potential for cooperation in the trade sector. “What we need is to utilize that potential to the maximum”, he added.
With regards to bilateral trade relations, Indonesian Consul General pointed out that Pakistan and Indonesia were enjoying strong bilateral relations as trade volume stood around 1.6 billion in 2013, and 2.2 billion in 2014. “The future of bilateral economic relations between Indonesia and Pakistan will be more strengthened in the years ahead since Indonesia is the largest economy in the South-East Asian region and member of the G-20 which is expected to become the hub of future economic activities, while Pakistan is the second largest economy in the region and is one of the emerging markets in the world”, he added.
“Our rapidly developing bilateral economic ties offer great prospects to further forge the bonds of friendship and to establish broad-based commercial partnership”, he reiterated, while acknowledging the valuable efforts and contribution of the business community of Pakistan.
He further extended best cooperation to KCCI in a common effort to work together for the mutual benefit of Pakistan and Indonesia.
Earlier, while welcoming the Indonesian Consul General, President KCCI Younus Muhammad Bashir appreciated Indonesian’s intention to explore new avenues of cooperation in Pakistan on various occasions. In this regard, he advised Pakistani leather manufacturers to explore Indonesian market for importing cheaper skins and hides.
He was of the view that the two countries can enhance their bilateral trade by exporting products like maize, wheat, fresh fruits, nuts, ready-made garments, fish and fish products, cotton fabrics, surgical goods, handicrafts, sports goods, and medical instruments from Pakistan to Indonesia. “Halal Food industry also holds good potential of enhancing trade between the countries.”
He said that the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants to promote business, mutual understanding and friendly relations between the business communities of Pakistan and Indonesia. “We also want to promote Indonesian investment in Pakistan and do everything for the development of Pakistan–Indonesian business cooperation”, he added.
