KARACHI: Consul General of Indonesia Totok Prianamto has underscored the need to further build and strengthen the trade and economic ties between Indonesia and Pakistan, besides promoting business-to-business and people-to-people contacts which would surely prove to be very beneficial for the two brotherly countries.
Exchanging views with KCCI Office Bearers and Managing Committee Members during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), he said, “We have to be more active so we, at the Indonesian Consulate, are utilizing all our energies to seek ways and means of how to promote trade and investment for the benefit of the two countries.” Trade between Indonesia and Pakistan is very dynamic but the two sides will have to aggressively encourage all the activities to further improve trade and investment cooperation, he added.
President KCCI Agha Shahab Ahmed Khan, Senior Vice President Arshad Islam, Vice President Shahid Ismail, Chairman of KCCI’s Diplomatic Missions & Embassies Liaison Subcommittee Shamoon Zaki and Managing Committee Members were also present at the meeting.
Indonesian Consul General said, “Indonesia has a population of 200 million while Pakistan’s population was also nearly the same. Both are very big countries hence huge potential for enhancing trade and investment exists. The Indonesian Consulate is trying its best to play the role of bridge between the business communities of Indonesia and Pakistan for the benefit of our two countries.”
He mentioned that Indonesian investors and industrialist are showing interest to explore new business avenues in Pakistan. Many Indonesian businessmen were intending to participate in My Karachi Exhibition and this year, around 14 delegations from different Indonesian companies will be arriving in Karachi to showcase new products and services in KCCI’s My Karachi Exhibition.
“Everywhere I encourage Pakistani businessmen to enter the Indonesian market and I would like to encourage KCCI members to be more active in our market. I have also been inviting Indonesian business community to enter the Pakistani market so that both countries could benefit”, he said, adding that last year, a 25-members delegation was taken to Jakarta for participation in Indonesian Trade Expo which is a very big expo and this year, the Indonesia Consulate plans to send another delegation so that the Pakistani business community could see the trade potential.
President KCCI Agha Shahab Ahmed Khan, while welcoming the Indonesian Consul General, appreciated Totok Prianamto for striving really hard to promote trade and investment ties between Pakistan and Indonesia. He said that both countries have been enjoying excellent brotherly and trade relations since long but there is even more room and potential for further strengthening the existing trade ties keeping in view the immense trade potential. “Indonesia with a huge population of around 200 million and Pakistan also having a similar populace offer a lot of trade opportunities in different sectors of the economy including Tourism, Agriculture, Fisheries, Marbles & Granites, Fresh Fruits & Vegetables, Halal Food and many other sectors that must be promoted”, he added.
While stressing the need to make collective efforts, Agha Shahab noted that during 2018, Pakistan exported goods worth US$641 million to Indonesia against US$241 million in 2017 while the imports also increased to US$2.58 billion during the said period against the imports of US$2.50 billion in 2017. “Indonesia and Pakistan collectively form a huge market. We share some common values and buying habits. Hence, I would like to extend KCCI’s full support and cooperation to Indonesian Consulate in Karachi in all its initiatives towards further improving trade ties between the two countries”, he added.
He particularly mentioned that around 200 multinational companies from 33 countries are operating from Karachi in 15 different sectors of the economy therefore, the Indonesian companies must also come forward, review the size of Pakistani market, identify potential sectors and join the fleet of these MNCs successfully doing business in Karachi.
While appreciating the nonstop participation of Indonesian Consulate in My Karachi Exhibition, Agha Shahab hoped that they will once again participate in this year’s exhibition with same zeal and enthusiasm.