LAHORE: The LCCI President Malik Tahir Javaid, who is heading a 10-member trade delegation to Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, have started his “Economic Campaign” powerfully and had various high-profile and meaningful meetings in Jakarta.
Malik Tahir Javaid had fruitful meeting with Pakistani Ambassador in Indonesia Muhammad Aqil Nadeem besides visiting the offices of Jakarta Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Federation of Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Parts Manufacturers Association and paper & Pulp Manufacturers Association. The Ambassador also hosted a dinner in honor of the delegation.
Ambassador of Pakistan in Indonesia Muhammad Aqil Nadeem warmly welcomed the LCCI delegation and assured his full cooperation. He said that visit of the LCCI delegation will play a key role in boosting mutual trade and economic ties between the two countries and pave way for joint ventures for sustainable development and economic progress. The Ambassador lauded the serious efforts of the LCCI President Malik Tahir Javaid for growing the external trade relations of the country.
The LCCI President and Head of the delegation Malik Tahir Javaid appreciated the Pakistani Ambassador in Indonesia for maintaining good relations with the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry. He said that Indonesia and Pakistan have old historical links and enjoy cordial relations. The people of both countries are close to each other and share special bondage of friendship and companionship.
Malik Tahir Javaid said that Indonesia is a major trading partner of Pakistan as among the top importing and exporting destinations of Pakistan, Indonesia comes at 3rd and 31st places respectively. Traditionally, the balance of trade has been in favour of Indonesia. Last year, the imports made from Indonesia to Pakistan were almost 16 times greater than our exports to Indonesia. He said that the bilateral trade figures fairly indicate the economic relations between two countries but these can be even greater if Pakistan is given more access to Indonesian market. Pakistan could not obtain much benefit from PTA signed between two countries and that is why our exports are not picking up.
The LCCI President said that the bilateral trade figures fairly indicate the economic relations between two countries but these can be even greater if Pakistan is given more access to Indonesian market. Pakistan could not obtain much benefit from PTA signed between two countries and that is why our exports are not picking up.
“We need to make some arrangements to export items of light engineering, carpets, surgical instruments, fresh fruits and vegetables etc. at minimum duty to Indonesia so that some improvement could be brought in the present scenario”, the LCCI President added.
Malik Tahir Javaid said that there is also a lot of scope for Indonesia to make investment in Pakistan. Indonesia has a fairly advanced petro-chemical, rubber, plywood, telecommunication and tourism industry. Indonesia can make direct investment in these industries and can also enter into joint ventures with Pakistani counterparts. He proposed that these potential areas need to be studied and monitored by the commercial sections of our respective diplomatic missions for promoting trade and investment between two countries.
During visit to the office of Jakarta Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Federation of Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Parts Manufacturers Association and paper & Pulp Manufacturers Association, the LCCI president invited the Indonesian businessmen to come forward and avail lucrative trade and investment opportunities in Pakistan. He said that thriving economy of Pakistan has huge benefits for the Indonesian investors.
The delegation members are Malik Tahir Javaid (head of the delegation), Shahid Nazir, Awais Saeed Piracha, Muhammad Wasim, Haseeb Khawar, Shabbir Bhatti, Malik Muhammad Islam, Muhammad Farooq, Mian Faisal Majeed and Muhammad Arshad Bhatti.
