PESHAWAR: Ambassador of Indonesia to Pakistan, Adam Mulawarman Tugio, has said that Indonesia can play a significant role in providing economic and trade opportunities to Pakistan and connectivity with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (Asean) potential trade market.

The envoy said this while addressing members of the business/industrial community during a meeting at the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Wednesday.

He said there was a vast potential to boost trade and economic relations between Indonesia and Pakistan.

Mr Tugio said his country had planned to launch a special capacity building programme for uplift of the tourism sector in Pakistan.

Envoy says palm oil export to resume soon

“We should also enhance mutual cooperation and trade in textile, medicines, tourism and other key sectors along with import of palm oil,” the diplomat suggested.

About the ban on export of palm oil by Indonesia to the entire world, Mr Tugio said his country had imposed restrictions temporarily due to hike in price of the commodity. The ban, he said, was meant to facilitate local market/consumers by providing the palm oil on subsidised rate. He, however, said the ban would be lifted and export of palm oil resumed to the entire world very soon.

Commenting on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the ambassador said the war had brought negative impacts on the whole world. He underscored the need for mutual trade expansion with Pakistan beyond palm oil import and to access the Asean market.

“This is the right time to take Pakistan and Indonesian bilateral trade relations to a new peak, as we must think beyond the palm oil import and focus on other potential sectors and to enter to Asean market,” he said.

He said Indonesia corner would be established at the University of Peshawar. He said online classes were conducted between the universities of Pakistan and Indonesia that had played a significant role to enhance cooperation in education sector as well.

Besides, the ambassador said the embassy of Indonesia in collaboration with the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, would jointly work for promotion of religious tourism in the province.

Mr Tugio agreed with the SCCI president’s proposals and assured him that they would make every possible effort to facilitate the business community to strengthen mutual trade and economic relations.

Earlier, SCCI president Hasnain Khurshid Ahmad called for simplifying the visa issuance process to ease difficulties of business community and to strengthen mutual trade relations.

He emphasised that Pakistan and Indonesia should launch joint ventures for promotion of tourism sector. Keeping in view the rising demand of palm oil, he urged Indonesia to assist Pakistan for enhancement of palm oil production.

He also called for exchange of business to business delegations and organising joint trade exhibitions.

Mr Ahmad invited the Indonesian investors to make investments in palm oil, tourism, mine and mineral, gems and jewellery, hydel power generations and other potential sectors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

SCCI senior vice-president Imran Khan Mohmand, vice-president Javed Akhtar, former presidents and importers and exporters were also present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2022