Indonesian envoy for expanding bilateral ties with Pakistan

Indonesia and Pakistan are committed to bolster cooperation in various venues to further expand existing excellent bilateral relations. Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia Iwan S Amri stated this during a reception organized here at a hotel to celebrate the 72nd anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia on Friday.
Amri underlined the importance of close ties and enhancing people-to-people networks and all-around cooperation to further strengthen the fraternal bond between Pakistan and Indonesia. He said Indonesia is the most Muslim populous country and has transformed into a vibrant third largest democracy in the world.
He stated that Indonesia has witnessed remarkable social, political and economic change in recent years. It made important progress towards its MDG targets, graduated to a middle income country status and was welcomed to the fold of the G20, he added. The Envoy elaborated that Indonesia as an emerging economy market is the largest economy in Southeast Asia with a GDP of almost $1 trillion with above 5 percent annual growth rate. The ambassador said that Indonesia within two years has climbed from 114 to 72 in the Ease of Doing Business Index.
Ambassador Amri paid rich tributes to President Soekarno and Quaid E Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for laying the strong foundation of the diplomatic ties between the two nations following Pakistan independence in 1947. He said both countries have come a long way and attach great importance to their bilateral ties. He also shared some recent but significant achievements in the ambit of bilateral ties and satisfyingly said that the bilateral trade volume between the two countries has increased by 8.9 percent from $1.6 billion in 2012 to $2.1 billion in 2016. He also highlighted the cooperation that the two countries are enhancing in political, defense cooperation, education and tourism spheres. He informed that visa requirements have been relaxed for the Pakistani citizens to promote stronger people to people contacts.
Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman, who was the chief guest on the occasion, congratulated the ambassador on the auspicious day on behalf of the people and government of Pakistan. He noted with satisfaction that Indonesia and Pakistan are committed to boost cooperation in various field to expand existing bilateral relations. He underlined the importance of close ties and enhancing people-to-people networks and all-around cooperation to further strengthen the fraternal bond between the two nations.