Consul General of Republic of Indonesia, Hadi Santoso, said here on Wednesday that trade between Pakistan and Indonesia might reach up to $2.3 to $2.4 billion by the end of this year. Speaking at a meeting of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), he said that total trade between Indonesia and Pakistan stood at $1.69 billion on September 30, 2014, depicting a year-on-year increase of 60 per cent.
The consul general said that Indonesia and Pakistan, who are enjoying best cordial, economical and sentimental relations, will rapidly develop their bilateral economic ties in the years ahead, establishing a broad-based commercial partnership. The envoy said that Indonesia being the largest economy in South-East Asian region and a member of G-20 was expected to become the hub of future economic activities, while Pakistan as the second largest economy of the region was one of the emerging markets in the world.
"Indonesia and Pakistan are gifted with tremendous resources and there is a great potential for co-operation in trade sector and what we need is to utilise that potential to the maximum", he opined. During the meeting, the envoy also invited a representative from KCCI to accompany him during his visit to Indonesia to apprise Indonesian business community, trade bodies and local governments about the exhibition on "My Karachi - Oasis of Harmony".
He assured his full co-operation to Karachi Chamber for the mutual benefit of the two countries. Offering condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims of Peshawar school carnage, Hadi Santoso said that Indonesian government has condemned this inhuman act as it cannot be justified in any way. "Indonesian government expresses its support and solidarity to the people and government of Pakistan in this difficult situation," he added.
In his welcome address, KCCI President Iftikhar Ahmed Vohra said that bilateral trade relations between Pakistan and Indonesia were expanding expeditiously and the two countries could further enhance their bilateral trade by exporting products like wheat, fresh fruits, nuts, ready-made garments, finished and semi-finished leather, fish and fish products, cotton fabrics, hide and skins, surgical goods, handicrafts and sports goods.
Moreover, Halal food industry has a potential to increase trade between the countries, he added. He suggested that Indonesian companies could also explore possibilities of investing in energy sector and real estate projects in Pakistan. He also advised the business communities of both the countries to join hands and undertake joint ventures. The KCCI chief urged governments of both the countries to play the role of facilitator so as to bring the business communities of the two countries closer. The meting was attended, among others, by KCCI senior vice president Muhammad Ibrahim Kasumbi, vice president Agha Shahab Ahmed Khan, members of managing committee and former president of KCCI Majyd Aziz.
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