Indonesian Consul General in Karachi Hadi Santoso has said that his government was trying to promote bilateral trade and tourism that's why visa policy for Pakistanis has been softened. He said that under new visa policy Indonesian Consulate will issue visa within couple of days if the documents were found valid. He was speaking on the occasion of formal inauguration of Pakistan Indonesia Business Forum (PIBF) at Indonesian Consulate here on Friday. He said that under the policy Indonesian Airlines Garuda is also considering to start flight for Pakistan.
He said that PIBF had been formed in order to promote cultural, educational relations besides tourism and science and technology. Hadi said that his consulate had issued 20 percent more visas as compared to last year. About 10 percent more visas would be issued as compared to last year. He said that the main purpose of PIBF was not only to strengthen bilateral trade ties but also boost cultural, educational, tourism, science and technology as well.
He expressed his dismay over the volume of bilateral trade between the two brotherly countries as it stands at $2.23 billion against a potential of several billion dollars. He pointed out that out of $2.2 billion dollars, 93 percent share was in favour of Indonesia. He advised the Pakistani businessmen to fully exploit Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and export more to Indonesia in order to bridge the wide gap between the two countries' trade volume.
He mentioned that Pakistani exporters could also exploit Indonesia's big market of Halal meat. Hadi said that under the plan of strengthening bilateral relations the Karachi University had offered 10 scholarships to the Indonesian students while Indonesian government too has offered eight scholarships to Pakistani students.
Later on, he formally inaugurated the PIBF along with its President, Shamoon Zaki. PIBF President Shamoon Zaki on the occasion said that relations between Pakistan and Indonesia were particularly special, founded on common mutual religious and cultural outlook. "Indonesia is the world largest Muslim country in terms of its population; whereas Pakistan is the world second largest Muslim country. Indonesia and Pakistan have great potential to improve bilateral cooperation in multiple fields," he added. The bilateral trade ties between Pakistan and Indonesia had improved tremendously as the volume bilateral trade which was around $1.1 billion in 2013, had rose to $2.204 billion in 2014.
"Indonesia and Pakistan have great potential to improve bilateral cooperation in multiple fields and businessman of both countries should interact frequently for promotion of two way trade," he urged. Pakistan is aiming to start negotiation on a free trade agreement (FTA) with Indonesia sometimes this year, to expend the current preferential trade agreement (PTA), which began in 2013.