The trade volume between Pakistan and Indonesia has reduced from $1.2 billion to $0.8 billion due to the decline in the import of palm oil from Jakarta. This was stated by Rossalis Rusman Adenan, Counsel General of Indonesia in Karachi during a press conference on the forthcoming "2nd Indonesian Solo exhibition," organised by the Indonesian Consulate General here at a local hotel on Tuesday.
He said that multiple steps are needed in order to boost trade between the two Islamic countries. He hoped that things would be changed if the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) is signed between the two countries. Talking about the solo exhibition to be held at Beach Luxury Hotel in Karachi from December 3 to 4, he said that it would not only promote the Indonesian products and tourism but also strengthen both countries economic relations.
The exhibition would also be attended by some officials from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of Indonesia. The event, he said, would focus on promoting tourist destinations of Indonesia. In this Programme, tour packages through B-to-B meetings with Association of travel agencies and companies in the province of Sindh would be offered. Besides focusing on the promotion of Indonesian tourism, products such as spices, textiles, paper products and consumer's goods, etc would also be displayed there.
He further said that there would be performance of Indonesian traditional dances and seminars with the theme of "Taking opportunities to attract Pakistani tourists to visit Indonesia (Exploring Pakistani Tourism Market for Indonesia and vice versa)". In replying to query, he said, the problems being faced by Pakistanis at Jakarta Airports from the immigration staffs would preferably solved as the issue has been taken up with the high offices in Indonesia.