ISLAMABAD: Indonesia's Ambassador to Pakistan, Burhan Muhammad has said Pakistan is a land of opportunities and Indonesian businessmen can benefit by enhancing trade and economic cooperation.
"Pakistan is a gateway to Central Asia, Afghanistan and Western China. The image of Pakistan portrayed by western media is misleading as the general security situation is not as bad as portrayed by media," he said while addressing a signing ceremony held at Mercantile Club, Jakarta.
Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and Jakarta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding for mutual cooperation to enhance bilateral trade and extend facilitation to members of respective chambers.
Ambassador Burhan invited Indonesian businessmen to come to Pakistan and see it themselves, adding that Indonesia and Pakistan being first and second largest Muslim country should trade with heart and empathy.
He also termed 2013 as historical year in bilateral trade relations between the two countries.
He said by awarding Pest Free Area Recognition Certificate for Pakistan Kinnow and allowing entry through Tanjung Priok Port of Jakarta, all impediments in effective implementation of IP-PTA from September 1, 2013 were removed and this MoU will further enhance bilateral trade.
President of the KCCI, Aamir Abdullah Zaki and President of JCCI Eddy Kuntadi signed the MoU.
Indonesia's Ambassador to Pakistan, Pakistan's Charge d Affairs to Indonesia, Syed Sajjad Haider and Consul General of Indonesia in Karachi, Rossalis Adenan and Ms. Maria Kazi, Commercial Secretary of Pakistan to Indonesia were present on the occasion along with office bearers of Jakarta Chamber, officials from Ministries of Foreign Affairs and KCCI Chairman of Special Committee for Liaison with International Chambers and MoUs Implementation, Junaid Esmail Makda.
President KCCI Aamir Abdullah Zaki said bilateral trade relations between Pakistan and Indonesia were expanding rapidly as both the governments had been working seriously and sincerely for implementing Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and were looking forward to turn this PTA into Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in near future.
He termed the MoU an outcome of efforts of both countries and an extension of PTA.
He said KCCI is largest Business Chamber of Pakistan having 19000 members, being leading chamber in South Asia. He said PTA and FTA will increase bilateral trade between the two countries in an enormous way.
He welcomed the proposed next initiatives including currency swap agreement.
President of JCCI termed Pakistan as a non-traditional market for Indonesia as their trade is confined to 15 countries mainly including ASEAN, United States, Japan, China, South Korea, Australia and Canada etc.
He invited Indonesian businessmen to trade with Pakistan and said bilateral trade was expected to increase by US $ 1 billion by 2014.
The MoU defines a number of actions, aimed to further strengthen bilateral trade including exchange of trade delegations, participation in exhibitions, exchange of information specially trade inquiries, joint meetings, joint lobbying with both governments for FTA, agreement on investment, taxation and business visa recommendations.
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.