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Islamabad, May 29, 2013 (PPI-OT): Ambassador of Republic of Indonesia to Pakistan, H.E.Mr.Burhan Muhammad has stated that his priorities were to enhance economic cooperation between Indonesia and Pakistan and to connect the business communities of two countries which would further strengthen mutual linkages between two brother Muslim countries.
He highlighted that during his visit to Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI). He said that the Indonesia-Pakistan Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) was a landmark development in the bilateral history of two countries which will not only raise bilateral trade volume but also open doors for Pakistani businessmen to penetrate in the emerging Asean market.
The Ambassador apprised that there was some delay in the enforcement of PTA as notification has not been issued yet. He said that in this connection he will also visit Jakarta to meet Indonesian Trade Minister.
He stated that besides economic and commercial cooperation, Indonesia also intended to invest in power projects as well as Pakistan can get benefit of Indonesian expertise in coal sector for producing electricity. He said that Pakistan and Indonesia are also negotiating to start a project of Coal Power Plan in Karachi for generating electricity by using domestic coal while the rest will come from Indonesia.
He said that Indonesia and Pakistan have had a remarkable history of brotherly relationship and two countries have enjoyed sound and steady commercial interaction since last several decades. He said that President of Indonesia, H.E.Mr.Susilo Bambang sent him to Pakistan with special impression to improve the trade and economic link between the two countries.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr.Zafar Bakhtawari, President ICCI gave a detailed briefing to the Ambassador on available trade and investment opportunities in Pakistan and said that Pakistan also values its relations with Indonesia and desires to further strengthen the existing relations.
He was of the view that Pakistan and Indonesia are loosing the warmness of their relations which were very strong at the time of Mr.Sukarno, former President of Indonesia. ICCI President expressed hope that Mr.Burhan Muhammad with his dynamic vision would bring that era back in the relation of both the countries.
Mr.Bakhtawari said that there should be direct air link between Pakistan and Indonesia which would bring business community of both the countries closer to each other as well as promote regional connectivity. He said that both the sides must ensure liberal visa policy to enable the businessmen get visa easily and meet each other which is imperative to boost trade ties between the two countries.
ICCI President termed the existing volume of trade between the two countries very low which stood around $1.3billion and stressed that it should be increased up to $5billion. He also informed the Ambassador that ICCI has planned to organize Asean Capital Chambers Conference in Islamabad aiming to promote mutually beneficial relations between Pakistan and Asean countries.
For more information, contact:
Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Chamber House, Aiwan-e-Sanat-o-Tijarat Road,
Mauve Area, G-8/1,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +9251 225 0526 and 225 3145
Fax: +9251 225 2950
Email: icci@brain.net.pk
Website: www.icci.com.pk