Islamabad, Jan 9: Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, chaired a preparatory meeting on Thursday, January 9, 2025, focusing on enhancing bilateral cooperation and trade between Pakistan and Indonesia. The meeting was convened in anticipation of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s upcoming official visit to Pakistan, scheduled from January 26 to 28, 2025.
Senior officials from the Ministries of Planning, Commerce, Finance, and Foreign Affairs, along with the Secretary of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), participated in the meeting. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Indonesia also joined via video link.
Discussions centered on proposals to strengthen cooperation and boost trade between the two countries across various sectors. Minister Iqbal emphasized the significance of President Subianto’s visit, stating, “This landmark visit will open new avenues for trade and cooperation, further strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and Indonesia.”
He directed relevant authorities to formulate concrete proposals to enhance trade relations, highlighting the need to strategically target the Indonesian market to effectively showcase Pakistani products and foster stronger ties between the people of both nations.
The minister also underscored the importance of promoting collaboration in education, health, information technology, and tourism. He suggested offering scholarships in IT and healthcare sectors for students from both countries to facilitate mutual learning and capacity building.
Additionally, Minister Iqbal lauded Indonesia’s cultural diversity and its successful integration into a unified identity, suggesting that Pakistan could learn from their model. He also appreciated Indonesia’s exemplary Hajj management and proposed leveraging their expertise to improve Pakistan’s pilgrimage arrangements.
In 2022, Indonesia exported goods worth $4.55 billion to Pakistan, while Pakistan’s exports to Indonesia stood at $185 million, indicating a trade imbalance that both nations aim to address through enhanced cooperation.
The upcoming visit is expected to further solidify the relationship between Pakistan and Indonesia, building upon recent agreements and mutual interests. Notably, in October 2024, the two countries signed multiple business-to-business trade agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth $10.7 million, reflecting a commitment to strengthening economic ties.
Both nations are optimistic that the Indonesian President’s visit will pave the way for increased collaboration, trade, and cultural exchange, fostering a mutually beneficial partnership in the years to come.
