Pak -Indonesia Trade Decreased $ 1 Billion in Two Years – Envoy Stresses Follow ups of Ideas for Improvement

Pakistan’s trade with Indonesia has decreased in last 2 years as down as $ 1 Billion at a time when Pakistan is trying its utmost to take the volume up to the same number ($ 1 B) with some other countries. The trade volume with Indonesia was $ 4.5 Billion till 2022 and it is $ 3.5 Billion now. Interestingly , Indonesia is still the largest trade partner of Pakistan in ASEAN region.

A group of Pakistani businessmen in Indonesia has taken an initiative to improve the situation organizing themselves in a forum called “International Creative Exchange” that has been launched in a solemn ceremony held at Embassy of Indonesia on 23 May 2024.

Young Pakistani from Chiniot city, Mr. Atta ul Karim is the Chairman of this forum while Masood Malik and Muzaffar Durrani are the central members who have their good presence in Indonesian market. Both deal in carpet industry and belong to the same historical city of Chiniot in Punjab.

MNA Sehar Kamran wished the best for the initiative. She commended the efforts of the business community from both sides for enhancing economic cooperation.

Vice President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce Eng Azhar ul Islam and his team visited Indonesia in Oct 2024 to attend two big conferences on trade and halal industry of Indonesia. He and his team members were also present at this occasion. Vice President ICCI Faad Waheed also attended the event. Both VPs shared their views as well.

Acting Ambassador Mr. Rahmat Hindiarta expressed his mind at the launching ceremony about how the bilateral political relations can be converted into meaningful trade and economic cooperation.

He, in his address to the businessmen community emphasized that ideas are very good but the implementation of ideas is the key to success. He suggested the business community for follow up of every meeting and discussion as the follow ups pave the way towards the implementation.

Mr. Rahmat visited Lahore and Faisalabad only a day before the event at Indonesia Embassy. He had many meetings there and the businessmen of these two cities shared a number of ideas with him for promotion of cooperation in trade, tourism, agriculture, IT etc.

Acting Ambassador welcomed the ideas and invited them to work on the ideas and the embassy is ready to extend all out support for their implementation.

Mr. Rahmat was critical about lack of awareness among the youth on the history of Indonesia Pakistan relations. He said , ” They read few lines that Qauid e Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and President Sukarno were the pioneers of mutual ties and next is full stop. We have to educate our youth about the history of our relations.”

He said the embassy is working on Economic and People Diplomacy. The present level of trade is not satisfactory. It does not match to the real potential. With follow ups to our meetings , we can increase it up to double and triple as well.

Regarding the opportunities with and in Indonesia, Mr. Rahmat stated , Our country is member of G-20 as chair of which hosted Bali Summit successfully. Indonesia is key player in ASEAN region. Pakistani businessmen can seek ways into ASEAN region using Indonesia as gate way.”

He presented Indonesia as tourism attraction also. He shared ;

1 – Indonesia is building a new capital city two hours flight from Jakarta.

2 – Indonesia has Toba volcano lake.

3 – Komodo Island is in Indonesia where the only Dragons in the world are found.

Mr. Atta ul Karim, in his short address, pledged to work upon connecting the business community on both sides and building bridges between the people of two countries. He was determined to give results with the cooperation of the members and support from the embassy.

Mr. Muzaffar Durrani and Masood Malik also addressed the gathering and resolved to continue work on B-to-B and P-to-P interactions.

A speaker Mr. Mohammad Arif suggested the National Tariff Commission to review the tax regime for promotion of trade. He mentioned that trade increase and balance between two sides can only be made possible with fair tax regime on both sides.

Indonesian students and staff of the embassy wearing traditional dresses were adding to the beauty of the evening. The weather was pleasant. Specially designed lawn for such events was full of the guests. The students and the staff received admiration from the guests on their adorable performance on folk music of Indonesia.

Last but not the least, delicious dinner was served that consisted of Biryani, Kebab, Beaf, Naan, Salad. In desert Gulab Jaman and Chocolate pudding were presented.

Pakistan in the World – OCT/NOV 2023