By Rafiq Vayani
JAKARTA: Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Karachi hosted a business dinner in appreciation of the presence of some 25 Pakistani and other Indonesian businesses and dignitaries at the side event of the Trade Expo Indonesia in a hotel nearby Jakarta area on Friday, 11 October 2024.
The dinner witnessed the signing of the agreements and memorandum of understanding on the bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Pakistan which is worth of USD 10.700.000.
According to the Acting Consul General of Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Teguh Wiweko, the deals have been concluded following series of business matching conducted in the two events – the Indonesia-South and Central Asia Business Forum (INASCA) and the Trade Expo Indonesia 2024.
“The deals were successfully inked and signed by business parties in various sectors of trade cooperation, including commodities like copra, gum copal, cocoa, desiccated coconut, ginger, and spices. Some trade deals are also reached on fast-moving consumer goods and auto parts sectors,” added Mr. Teguh.
Acting Consul General of Indonesia appreciated the participation of Pakistani colleagues and hailed this visit as a significant step toward deepening the economic and trade ties between Indonesia and Pakistan, specifically with the business communities in Sindh Province.
Also present at the Business Dinner, the President of Pakistani-Indonesia Business Council (PIBC), Mr. Abid Nisar, and the President of Pakistani-Indonesia Business Forum (PIBF), Mr. Shamoon Zaki. Both expressed their appreciation and gratitude to the Consulate General of Indonesia, and the Government of Republic of Indonesia for hosting the dinner, and facilitating the visit of the Pakistani business delegate at the Trade Expo of Indonesia and INASCA.
More specifically Mr. Abid Nisar says, “The bond between our two nations is not only rooted in history and culture but has, over the years, flourished into a robust partnership of mutual benefit, especially in trade and commerce”. The President of the PIBC expects the MoUs will be followed up to create mutual economic benefit and prosperity.
Ahmad Syofian, Ph.D., Consul for Economic Affairs of the Consulate expressed that the agreements reflect collaborative efforts from a diverse range of stakeholders, including private companies, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, and government entities.
Equally important, in the dinner, Mr. Naveed Gilani, Country Head of Apical Pakistan got an award from the Government of Indonesia, presented by the Acting Consul General. The Award is a recognition of Mr. Gilani and Apical’s unwavering commitment and support of the Indonesian palm oil in Pakistan. Mr. Naveed of Apical is also the biggest importer of the Indonesian CPO to the Pakistani market.
In the series of business events this year, the Consulate General of Republic of Indonesia facilitated around 25 business people from Sindh Province, including members of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industries, and Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industries. The delegate left for Indonesia on 6th of October 2024, and will return to Karachi after the trade expo finished on 12th of October 2024.
