Indonesian envoy for strengthening of ties with Pakistan

HYDERABAD: Consul General of Indonesia Karachi, Totok Prianamto while visiting Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (HCCI) Wednesday said that they wanted to nurture and further strengthen the brotherly relations between Indonesia and Pakistan, particularly that of economic, trade, investments and people-to-people contact that shall benefit both countries.

He said that it is unfortunate to see how the Covid-19 pandemic has led to a crisis that impacts economy and businesses around the globe, which unfortunately also include Pakistan and Indonesia.

Totok Prianamto said that the Covid-19 crisis has undoubtedly impacted major sectors which mainly contributed to our economy, we are confident that the economy would continue to grow, despite being hit by the pandemic like Covid-19, he added.

He informed that Indonesia had been closely observing WHO situation report on developments of the Covid-19 virus outbreak around the world. Indonesia's recovery is being done across essential aspects such as in terms of health, socio-economy and finances through the National Economy Recovery Programme.

He said that the steps taken by the government to mitigate the crisis also gave confidence to foreign investors to continue investing in Indonesia.

Totok Prianamto informed that on the economic front, the trade between Indonesia and Pakistan was growing steadily over the years and added that in 2019, the value of our bilateral trade has reached upto 2.3 billion US dollars.

He said that Indonesian Consulate was continuously maintaining close contact with various trade stakeholders in Sindh, from chambers to associations, as well as business forums, in an effort to promote and nurture existing trade relations, and also exploring new opportunities and potential that can be achieved in the future.

He informed that in 2013 both governments have signed the Indonesia-Pakistan Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), which allows us to trade over 500 goods in preferred tariff. Further informed that last year, the Indonesian government unilaterally granted Pakistan to export to Indonesia additional 20 items with zero tariffs.

He said that Indonesia also enjoy various products that come from Pakistan, agricultural products such as rice, mangoes, oranges, and onions were well-known in Indonesian markets, he informed. He said that as brotherly Muslim countries we were also looking into new opportunities to develop trading cooperation in meat, poultry, and halal industries.

He said that our promotional activities also include inviting Indonesian business communities to participate in Pakistan international trade exhibitions. He said that every year Indonesia holds one of the biggest trade show, the Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI), which was attended by 25 participants from various chambers and business sectors in Sindh. He said that Indonesia also take part in various trade exhibitions to facilitate businessmen from both countries to find their business match.

He informed that, this year the Indonesian government was organising Trade Expo Indonesia - Virtual Exhibition (TEI-VE), that was going to be held online from 10-16 November 2020.

He said that he was confident that both Indonesia and Pakistan were well on track to economic recovery by seizing more business and investment opportunities, both inbound and outbound.

He said that Indonesia was always ready to work with the Pakistani colleagues for the strengthening of relations in all aspects, particularly in the Sindh Province.

President HCCI Fahad Hussain Shaikh at this occasion said that Indonesian Consulate General may organise Indonesian Products Exhibitions and cultural shows in Hyderabad.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020