Tazeen Akhtar
Pakistan and Indonesia have maintained high level contacts since when the new government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has assumed the charge. Last month when local market was noting sudden surge in prices, the Indonesian oil shipment of 30 thousand metric tons helped bridle the prices in Pakistan. Ambassador Adam M Tugio was in Jakarta when Minister Industries Syed Murtaza Mehmood landed in Indonesian capital to seek an early dispatch of oil to control the shooting rates in Pakistani markets.
The first ship full of 30,000 metric tons of edible oil arrived on 17 June 2022. As of 6 July 2022, 6 ships with total 140.000 MT oil have arrived in Pakistan.
It is very important to note that Indonesia took special decision of exporting oil for Pakistan only. Jakarta had banned the export of oil to world market as a step to stop shortage in the country.
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Ambassador said “Our manufacturers were exporting oil to the world without keeping a sufficient supply for local needs. It was ironic that the country was the major oil producer, providing it to world markets but our own people were standing in lines to have oil for their use.” He added, this situation forced Indonesian government to take certain steps to stop the exports for time being.
How much importance Indonesia attaches to relations with Pakistan can be seen in a gesture that the Pakistani delegation arrived in Jakarta on 12 June for oil and the next day the first shipment was sent to Pakistan.
Ambassador Adam M Tugio held discussions with representatives of Pakistan Vegetable Oil Manufacturers Association PVMA last week in Islamabad to further systematize the oil exports from his country to Pakistan, restoring the edible oil connection once again after a pause.
“We had a fruitful discussion that will bring good results soon”, said Mr. Tugio in a meet with this scribe the other day at the Embassy.
The Ambassador Indonesia is always eager in doing something to enhancing the bilateral cooperation and interactions between the two countries. He has left no stone unturned to increase the knowledge about opportunities of trade, tourism, and education for Pakistanis in his country.
“Indonesia produces finest quality spices and Pakistanis are fond of spicy foods. We can work together on spices trade as well,” The Ambassador shared his new program to introduce Indonesia’s spices to Pakistan through publication of book combining cultural and economic diplomacy.
Earlier in an interview with Pakistan in the World, the Ambassador expressed hope to promote cooperation in pharmaceutical industry. He said that Indonesia is keen to build close interaction and joint ventures in pharma sector.
As long as the restoration of edible oil export to Pakistan is concerned, it is worth mentioning that the prices of edible oil were increased to more than 5 to 6 hundred pkr per liter in the month of June that left the public with no option to spend more money on oil or leave the use of this necessary item in their food.
The prices were soon stabilized down to 4 to 4.5 hundred after the Indonesian oil shipments arrived at Pakistani port with in 3 days. The prices will be down more with the arrival of more shipments that are due in days to come. A total of 2.5 million metric tons of edible oil is being supplied to Pakistan from Indonesia.
Prime Minister Shahbaz has appreciated the cooperation of Government of Indonesia in ensuring timely provision of palm oil to Pakistan.
At the direction of Prime Minister, the Pakistani delegation visited Indonesia last month and held negotiations with the Indonesian Ministry of Commerce that were successful.
Minister for Industries and Production Syed Murtaza Mahmood settled matters with his Indonesian counterpart. At the request of the Pakistani delegation, the Indonesian Ministry of Commerce expedited all related matters. The visiting delegation included Tariqullah Sufi, chairman of the Pakistan Vegetable Manufacturers Association and Rashid Jan Muhammad, a member of the association.
On 9 July 2022, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif had a telephone conversation with President Joko Widodo of Indonesia.
The two leaders discussed the state of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Indonesia, based on a strong foundation of cultural and religious affinities and shared values on regional and global issues.
The two leaders agreed to further expand and deepen mutually-beneficial cooperation in all dimensions, including high-level exchanges. The Prime Minister underlined Pakistan’s desire to further promote trade and investments between the two countries. President Widodo reciprocated the sentiment.
The Prime Minister extended a cordial invitation to President Joko Widodo at an early date. President Joko Widodo also extend invitation to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to visit Indonesia.
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