ISLAMABAD: In a bold push to strengthen ties, Pakistan and Indonesia inked seven memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on Tuesday aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation in key areas, including trade, education, healthcare, and Halal certification.
The agreements were formalised during Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s two-day visit to Pakistan – his first since taking office and the first by an Indonesian president in seven years. The visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
In a joint press conference with President Prabowo, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasised that the agreements marked a significant step in strengthening Pakistan’s economic ties with Indonesia, a country with which it shares long-standing cultural and political connections.
“We are committed to improving our bilateral trade, which currently stands at about USD 4.5 billion,” Sharif said, highlighting that a large portion of the trade consists of palm oil imports from Indonesia.
However, he noted that efforts are underway to balance the trade relationship by boosting Pakistan’s exports in agriculture, information technology (IT), and other sectors.
The newly signed MoUs cover a broad spectrum of cooperation, including higher education, health, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and narcotics control. The agreements were finalised in a ceremony at the Prime Minister’s House, attended by Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Prime Minister Sharif.
During the event, the two leaders observed the formal exchange of documents related to seven MoUs and agreements, with relevant ministers from both sides overseeing the handover.
A key agreement between Indonesia’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology and Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC) was signed for mutual recognition of higher education certificates and degrees. The pact was formalised by Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Indonesia’s Minister of Higher Education Brian Yuliarto.
The two countries also agreed on the Indonesian Aid Scholarship Programme, with documents exchanged between Indonesian Foreign Minister RetnoMarsudi and Siddiqui. In the trade sector, an MoU on Halal certification and trade was signed by Marsudi and Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan.
In the realm of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), a separate MoU was signed between Indonesia’s Foreign Minister and Minister for National Food Security, Rana Tanveer Hussain, aimed at boosting cooperation in this area.
The countries also signed an agreement to enhance collaboration in archives, with documents exchanged between Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Foreign Minister Marsudi. In addition, an MoU to tackle drug trafficking and enhance cooperation in drug control was also finalised.
In healthcare, a separate MoU for cooperation in the health sector was signed between Marsudi and Minister for National Health, Mustafa Kamal. President Prabowo described the agreements as a “historic moment” in Indonesia’s relations with Pakistan, emphasising that the bilateral ties between the two nations go beyond trade and cover a range of shared interests.
“We have agreed to increase cooperation in agriculture, IT, health, science, and education,” he said, adding that Indonesia is particularly keen on Pakistan’s offer to send health experts to help address the needs of Indonesian hospitals and medical universities.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Sharif offered to send Pakistani doctors, dentists, and medical professors to Indonesia, underlining the importance of people-to-people connections between the two countries. “We will do whatever is possible, and we will do it without delay,” he said, responding to Indonesia’s request for assistance in expanding its healthcare sector.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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