HYDERABAD, June 15: The Indonesian Head of Chancery Karachi, Mr Heru Budiarso, has stressed the need for increasing trade relations between Pakistan and Indonesia.

He said that the economic section of the Karachi consulate of his country was providing relevant information to the business community for the promotion of bilateral trade between the two countries.

He was addressing leaders of trade and industry during his visit to the Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s secretariat on Wednesday.

He said that during the “My Karachi” exhibition to be held in the provincial capital in July 2006, a comprehensive trade directory prepared by the Indonesian consulate providing all relevant information about trade including import tariff and other trade laws, would be displayed.

About the import-export trade between the two countries, Mr Budiarso said that Indonesia was exporting palm oil, spices, coal and chemicals to Pakistan and importing fresh fruits and some other items from Pakistan.

He said that the total value of exports from Indonesia to Pakistan stood at $634 million whereas Pakistan exported goods valued at only $20 million.

He said that total exports of the country amounted to $20 billion against total imports of $10 billion.

The acting president of the chamber, Azizuddin Arain, former president Emad Siddiqui, Yousuf Kausar Bhatti, Haji Mohammad Yaqoob, Abdul Razzaq Memon, Mehmood Ahmed, Mohammad Madani and Mohammad Iqbal Ghausi welcomed Mr Budiarso.