Pakistan can get access to ASEAN states thru trade with Indonesia: envoy

KARACHI: Consul General of Indonesia in Karachi Dr June Kuncoro Hadiningrat has said that Pakistan can gain access to ASEAN member states through trade with Indonesia. In October this year, an international exhibition is being held in Jakarta in which Pakistani exporters can take full part.

Indonesia has the best business schools in the world, but the admission trend of young people from Pakistan is very low. This year, for the first time, more than 1000 students have applied for admission to Indonesian educational institutions.

He expressed these views during a meeting at the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI).

He added that the relationship between the two countries has been going on for a long time but the trade activities are very low. Both countries have a common culture.

“Coal and palm oil are the major imports from Indonesia. There are many opportunities in the blue economy. Indonesia is importing seafood from Canada. Mutually we can make the coastline better and more useful. So far six MoUs have been signed with Pakistani. Scholarships are also available for the youth of Karachi,” he said

He said that the volume of joint trade is increasing every year which is appreciating.

KATI President Faraz-ur-Rehman said that the Korangi Industrial Area will soon organise an international exhibition “Made in Korangi” in which the products manufactured in the Korangi Industrial Area will be presented to friendly countries and interested buyers visiting.

He said that trade between the two countries increased by 28 percent last year, after which the volume reached US 3 billion dollars. He said that most of the trade benefits are going to Indonesia where Pakistan is importing large quantities of palm oil and coal.

President KATI said that there is a need to equalise the trade volume between the two countries. In this regard, KATI’s trade delegation headed by Vice President Muslim Mohammadi will go to Indonesia after Ramazan.

KATI Vice President Muslim Mohammadi said that steps need to be taken for the consumption of Pakistani products in Indonesia. There is a market in Indonesia for electrical products and foodstuffs especially seafood from Pakistan. He said that the exchange of trade delegations of both countries is necessary.

Consul General of Indonesia Dewanto Priyokusumo said that Indonesia has the best educational institutions in the world, and Pakistani students can get international standard education from Indonesia. He said that KATI should fully participate in the trade exporters’ exhibition held in Jakarta.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023